New Delhi: In the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed the country’s firm stance on terrorism during a phone call with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The two leaders discussed the “cross-border” nature of the attack, with Jaishankar strongly emphasizing India’s policy of “zero tolerance for terrorism.” The conversation came amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, as New Delhi holds Islamabad-linked terror outfits responsible for the April 22 massacre at Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Lammy also held a separate conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During this call, Lammy reportedly stressed the importance of de-escalating tensions through dialogue and peaceful resolution. Dar, on his part, criticized India’s recent retaliatory actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a “clear violation” of international obligations. Pakistan has warned that any move to stop water flow would be considered an “act of war.”
Following the Pahalgam attack, India took a series of punitive steps against Pakistan. These included suspending the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the Attari-Wagah land border crossing, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and downgrading diplomatic ties. India also withdrew its Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad, further scaling down diplomatic staff. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airliners and halted all trade, including through third countries.
The international community has largely rallied behind India. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after the attack to condemn what he described as a “barbaric act.” Several other world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also expressed their condolences and support. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli were among those who reached out to PM Modi in solidarity.
During his monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government’s resolve to deliver justice. “The perpetrators and conspirators of this attack will be served with the harshest response,” he said. “The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism. I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be done.”
