Thu May 08 11:56:02 UTC 2025: ## UK Parliament Debates India-Pakistan Tensions Following Pahalgam Attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’

**London, May 8, 2025** – The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, sparked by the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent retaliatory strikes, “Operation Sindoor,” dominated discussions in the UK Parliament on Thursday. Members across party lines urged the UK government to actively promote de-escalation in the region.

The debate was opened by UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer, who reiterated Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s call for diplomacy and dialogue. He expressed concern for the impact on the large British Indian and Pakistani communities, highlighting the human cost of the conflict. Mr. Falconer stressed the UK’s close relationship with both nations and condemned the Pahalgam attack, the worst in the region in years. He affirmed the UK’s commitment to working with international partners to achieve both short-term de-escalation and long-term stability.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel acknowledged India’s right to self-defense and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, emphasizing the threat posed by Pakistan-based terrorists to India and Western interests. She questioned the government’s assessment of the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack and the UK’s potential role in preventing further escalation.

Several MPs, including India-born Labour MP Jas Athwal and Conservative MP Bob Blackman, weighed in on the issue, with varying perspectives on the appropriate response. Concerns were raised regarding the potential for a wider conflict between the two nuclear powers. The debate underscored the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further loss of life.

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