British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called on both India and Pakistan to uphold their commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), amid growing global concern over India’s decision to suspend the 1960 agreement. The treaty governs water usage between the two nations, and its unilateral suspension by India has sparked fears of further instability in the region.
India’s Suspension Raises Alarm
Speaking to Reuters in Islamabad at the end of his two-day visit, Lammy stressed the importance of abiding by international agreements. “We urge all sides to meet their treaty obligations,” he said, referring to India’s April 23 move to halt participation in the IWT following the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though no evidence was presented. Pakistan denied involvement and proposed an independent probe.
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Pakistan’s Response and Legal Action
Islamabad has vowed to treat any Indian attempt to divert its water supply as an “act of war.” It also announced plans to pursue international legal action. The Pakistan Commission on Indus Waters recently submitted a detailed report to the federal government, outlining India’s alleged violations of the treaty.
Backing the Ceasefire
Lammy also highlighted the UK’s efforts, alongside the United States, to ensure that the fragile ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors holds. “We will continue working with the US to sustain peace and foster dialogue,” he said. He added that Britain was focused on restoring communication between India and Pakistan to prevent future escalations.
Counterterrorism Cooperation
The British official reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to combating terrorism in Pakistan and the broader region. He described terrorism as a “terrible blight” affecting not only Pakistan but regional stability as a whole.
US Role in De-escalation
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had averted a nuclear conflict between the two nations. After a week of missile strikes and aerial combat in early May, Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10. The announcement came following tit-for-tat military actions and heavy civilian casualties on both sides.
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