External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday (April 27, 2025) conveyed to his British counterpart David Lammy India’s policy of “zero tolerance” for terrorism while discussing the “cross-border” links to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam.

As relations between New Delhi and Islamabad reeled under severe strain following Tuesday’s (April 22, 2025) terror attack that killed 26 civilians, Mr. Lammy also spoke to Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said the British Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for de-escalation of the situation.

Citing “cross-border linkages” to the horrific Pahalgam attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike that triggered wide-spread outrage within India and abroad.

Following his phone conversation with the British foreign secretary, Dr. Jaishankar said he underlined the importance of “zero tolerance” for terrorism.

“Spoke to Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy of the U.K. today. Discussed the cross-border terrorist attack at Pahalgam. Underlined the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism,” the External Affairs Minister said in a social media post.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister Dar spoke to Mr. Lammy and “reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to defend its national interests while continuing to promote peace and stability in the region”.

Mr. Dar is also Pakistan’s Foreign Minister.

The Pakistan Foreign Office, in a post on ‘X’, said Mr. Dar apprised Mr. Lammy about India’s “unilateral” measures including “illegal decision” to put Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and said it is a “clear violation” of New Delhi’s international obligations.

It said Mr. Lammy “emphasised the importance of de-escalating the situation through dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues”.

India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan on Wednesday (April 23, 2025), including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.

In response, Pakistan on Thursday (April 24, 2025) shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan also rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an “act of war”.

The Jaishankar-Lammy phone conversation came three days after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condemn the “barbaric” terror attack in Pahalgam.