After Iran and Saudi Arabia, the UK on Sunday became the third country to call for deescalation in the tensions between both India and Pakistan. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan had threatened to not adhere to the Simla agreement, which binds the two countries to resolve issues bilaterally. Jaishankar conveyed India’s policy of “zero tolerance” for terrorism while discussing the “cross-border” links to the terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. “Spoke to Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy of the UK today. Discussed the cross-border terrorist attack at Pahalgam. Underlined the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism,” the External Affairs Minister said on X. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry said the British Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for deescalation of the situation. It said Deputy Prime Minister Dar “reiterated Pakistan's unwavering resolve to defend its national interests while continuing to promote peace and stability in the region”:. The Pakistan Foreign Office, in a post on X, also said Dar apprised Lammy about India’s “unilateral” measures including the “illegal decision” to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, calling it a “clear violation” of New Delhi’s international obligations. It said Lammy “emphasised the importance of de-escalating the situation through dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues”. On Friday, Iran offered to mediate between the two countries. This message came at a time when Delhi and Islamabad had launched diplomatic measures against each other. Iran Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had posted on X: “India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority.” “Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time, in line with the spirit taught by Persian poet Saadi: ‘Human Beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul, If one member is inflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain’.” Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke to both Jaishankar and Dar on Friday. “Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages,” Jaishankar wrote on X. The Saudi Foreign Minister also spoke to Pakistan’s Dar. According to a statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office, Dar briefed his Saudi counterpart on the recent decisions taken by Pakistan’s National Security Committee in light of rising tensions with India.
