The UK welcomed the ceasefire agreed between India and Pakistan, announced by US President Donald Trump after days of intense military activity in the region.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has been in close communication with his counterparts in India and Pakistan, stressed that de-escalation is in everybody’s interest.
Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, confirmed that an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action had been agreed with Pakistan.
“India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he said.
Earlier, the UK and India had reiterated their firm stance against terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a precision and targeted strike against terrorist camps within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following terror attacks in Pahalgam on April 22.
British Indian diaspora groups also highlighted India’s zero tolerance stance on terrorism as news of the ceasefire broke over the weekend. The Friends of India Society International (FISI) UK stressed India’s “firm and uncompromising” stand against terrorism and INSIGHT UK highlighting a “humanity against terrorism” message.
Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, said: “There are no winners in war. A lot of innocent people suffer unnecessarily and therefore, I welcome this step hope that good sense will prevail where both sides agree never again.”
At a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing in New Delhi on May 10, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced: “Director General of military operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hours earlier this afternoon.
“It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea, with effect from 17:00 hours Indian Standard Time today.
“Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The directors general of military operations will talk again on the 12th of May, at 1200 hours IST.”
Trump hailed the “full and immediate ceasefire” after mediation by the US and congratulated both countries on using “common sense and great intelligence”.
