British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday praised the steps that both Pakistan and India have taken to secure an agreement to cease hostilities.

This is the first visit of a British Foreign Secretary in Pakistan since 2021, when Britain presses that the fragile ceasefire will be a viable peace, read a statement issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad.

Lammy visited Pakistan to welcome the ceasefire and make it clear that further conflict is in no interest, said the statement, adding that the visit was used to repeat that peace and security are the cornerstones of Britain’s relationship with Pakistan, which will protect growth and prosperity for British, Pakistanis and the wider region.

“The British government welcomed the sustained truce between Pakistan and India, both important partners to Britain, with the foreign secretary who claimed the importance of continued stability of the region during a visit to Pakistan today (Friday 16 May),” the statement read.

At meetings with senior colleagues, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the supreme British diplomat highlighted the immense contribution people from Pakistani descent have made to British life, and he acknowledged how worrying in the past few weeks has been to people in both countries and for those with Pakistani and Indian heritage in Britain.

Lammy reflected that British Pakistani and British Indian Diasporas would in particular welcome news of the ceasefire and increased stability for the two countries.

“The images of conflicts between India and Pakistan were worrying about all of us in Britain, but especially millions of British with Indian and Pakistani heritage and the many British nationals living in both of these countries.”

Ever since the horrific terrorist attack in Pahaldam, Britain has done everything it could to play a supportive role in reducing tension, coming to a ceasefire and condemning terrorism, he added.

“It is positive that India and Pakistan – both good friends to Britain – have accepted a break in hostilities and that the ceasefire holds,” said the top British diplomat.

Lammy maintained: “Due to the deep and historical relations between our population and our governments, we are determined to play our role to counter terrorism and ensure that this fragile ceasefire becomes a sustainable peace.”

It is relevant to mention here that Britain and Pakistan have an important history of working closely together to ensure regional security and stability.