UK Parliament debates India-Pakistan conflict, calls for de-escalation
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London: The rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were extensively debated in the British Parliament. Members from across the political spectrum called for the UK to play an active role in de-escalating the conflict in the region.
India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, striking nine terror targets in PoK and Pakistan's Punjab province in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people.
UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer opened the debate in the House of Commons, reiterating Prime Minister Keir Starmer's earlier comments, stressing the importance of diplomacy and dialogue. He also highlighted the deeply personal nature of the conflict for many British Indians and British Pakistanis.
Falconer emphasized, "Our consistent message to both India and Pakistan has been to show restraint. They need to engage in dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward." He added that the UK has a close relationship with both nations and expressed deep concern over the loss of civilian lives, stressing that if the conflict escalates, "nobody wins." Referring to the Pahalgam attack, Falconer said, "It was the worst such attack for many years in that region."
He called for urgent action from all sides to restore stability and protect civilians. "The UK will continue to work closely with international partners to pursue short-term de-escalation and long-term stability," Falconer stated. "We now need to see calm heads. Britain will continue to play its full part for de-escalation and diplomacy."
UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel defended India’s right to take "reasonable and proportionate" actions to defend itself and dismantle the "vile terrorist infrastructure" responsible for the deaths of civilians. She noted that terrorists based in Pakistan pose a threat not only to India but also to Western interests, referencing Pakistan’s role in sheltering Osama bin Laden. Patel highlighted the UK’s long-standing security cooperation agreements with India and questioned what specific support Britain could provide to prevent further escalation. She also sought an assessment of who was behind the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir.
Labour MP Jas Athwal, reflecting on his own family’s roots in Pakistan, asked the government how it would work to bring both India and Pakistan to the negotiating table. "I know only too well that neither nation will take a backward step, so what can the minister do to assure me and my residents in Ilford South that we will do everything possible to bring both superpowers to the negotiating table and restore peace to this volatile region?" Athwal asked.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman called for the permanent removal of terrorist bases in Pakistan. "India had made it clear that either Pakistan would remove the terrorist spaces along the line of control, or India would take action. Nine sites were hit; those were terrorist bases where terrorists were being trained to commit further atrocities in India," Blackman stated.
The debate underscored the urgency of addressing the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence in the region.
With PTI inputs
