https://arab.news/wygbp
- David Lammy is on his first official visit to Islamabad amid tensions following India-Pakistan standoff
- Pakistan and UK express satisfaction over bilateral economic cooperation, development partnership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday condemned what it called India鈥檚 鈥渦nprovoked and belligerent鈥� military action during talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, saying Islamabad had only exercised its right to self-defense with a limited response aimed at avoiding civilian casualties.
The meeting between Lammy and Pakistan鈥檚 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took place in Islamabad during Lammy鈥檚 first official visit to the country. It came just days after one of the most serious military confrontations between the South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
Fighting erupted last week when India launched strikes on what it said were 鈥渢errorist camps鈥� in Pakistan following a deadly April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the militants behind the assault, an allegation Pakistan denies.
Four days of drone, missile and artillery exchanges followed, killing around 70 people, including dozens of civilians, on both sides of the border. The conflict raised fears of a broader war before a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump.
鈥淭he two leaders held detailed discussions on recent developments in South Asia, particularly the situation following the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India,鈥� said a statement released by the foreign office in Islamabad.
鈥淒ar briefed the UK Foreign Secretary on India鈥檚 unprovoked and belligerent actions, which constituted a violation of Pakistan鈥檚 sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and established norms of interstate relations,鈥� it continued.
鈥淗e underlined that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that Pakistan鈥檚 response remained limited, precise, and proportionate, with utmost care taken to avoid civilian casualties,鈥� the statement added.
Dar also thanked the United Kingdom for its constructive engagement in urging de-escalation during the conflict.
Britain was among several countries that called for restraint, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying at the time that the UK was 鈥渦rgently engaging鈥� with both sides.
The two officials also discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral ties, expressing satisfaction with the progress in trade, economic cooperation and development partnerships.
Dar acknowledged British support in key areas such as education, health and climate resilience, and both sides pledged to deepen collaboration on global challenges including climate action and sustainable development.
Lammy鈥檚 visit, the foreign ministry said, underscored the 鈥渞obust and multifaceted partnership鈥� between the two nations and their commitment to regional and international peace.
-With input from AFP