United Kingdom discusses rising tensions between India, Pakistan in Parliament; appeals for de-escalation

U.Okay. Member of Parliament Priti Patel presents condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror assault on the UK Home of Commons, in London on Might 7, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: ANI

The rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault and ‘Operation Sindoor’ concentrating on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) had been debated at size in the British Parliament on Thursday (Might 8, 2025) with members throughout the events interesting for efforts by the U.Okay. to help de-escalation in the area.

India launched Operation Sindoor early hours of Might 7, 2025, hitting 9 terror targets in PoK and Pakistan’s Punjab province in retaliation for the April 22 terror assault that killed 26 individuals in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

U.Okay. International Workplace Minister Hamish Falconer opened the controversy in the Home of Commons on Might 7, 2025 with a press release reiterating Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s earlier remarks over the significance of diplomacy and dialogue.

He additionally expressed considerations associated to the very “private” side of the battle for numerous British Indians and British Pakistanis in the nation. “Our constant message to each India and Pakistan has been to indicate restraint. They should interact in dialogue to discover a swift, diplomatic path ahead,” stated Mr. Falconer.

“The U.Okay. has a detailed and distinctive relationship with each international locations. It’s heartbreaking to see civilian lives being misplaced. If this escalates additional, no person wins. We clearly condemned the horrific terrorist assault final month,” he stated, referring to the Pahalgam terror assault and stated it was the worst such assault for a few years in that area.

“Now, we want all sides to focus urgently on the steps wanted to revive regional stability and make sure the safety of civilians,” Mr. Falconer stated.

He asserted that the U.Okay. will proceed to work intently with worldwide companions in pursuit of “short-term de-escalation and longer-term stability.” “We now must see calm heads. Britain will proceed to play its full half for de-escalation and diplomacy,” he stated.

U.Okay. Shadow International Secretary Priti Patel highlighted India’s proper to take “cheap and proportionate” steps to defend itself, and to dismantle the “vile terrorist infrastructure” that has induced demise and continues to threaten Indian safety.

“Terrorists primarily based in Pakistan threaten India and western pursuits — it was the nation that Osama bin Laden was hiding in — and due to the lengthy historical past of violence being inflicted by terrorists on India, the U.Okay. has in place long-standing safety cooperation agreements with India,” famous the British Indian MP.

She went on to query if Britain may supply particular help that may assist avert escalation and in addition requested for the federal government’s evaluation of who carried out the phobia assault in Kashmir on April 22.

“I can affirm that I’ve had prolonged discussions with my Pakistani counterparts concerning the terrorist threats inside Pakistan and the efforts that must be made to deal with that. That may be a terrorist risk that impacts Pakistan herself, which, even in latest months, has suffered important terrorist assaults,” Mr. Falconer responded.

India-born Labour MP Jas Athwal addressed the Commons on a private notice highlighting that his dad and mom had been born in Pakistan. “I do know solely too effectively that neither nation will take a backward step, so what can the Minister do to guarantee me and my residents in Ilford South that we are going to do every thing potential to carry each the superpowers to the negotiating desk to revive peace to this unstable a part of the world,” he requested.

Conservative Celebration MP Bob Blackman known as for terrorist bases to be eliminated “as soon as and for all” from Pakistan.

“It was made clear on the time by India that both Pakistan removes the terrorist areas alongside the road of management, or India would take away them… 9 websites had been hit; These had been terrorist bases the place terrorists had been being skilled to commit additional atrocities in India,” he stated.

Quite a lot of Pakistani-origin British MPs additionally intervened to sentence the “huge escalation” and an actual risk of warfare between the 2 nuclear powers.

“It is crucial that the Home stays focussed on the significance of de-escalation,” the Minister harassed.