External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar firmly conveyed India's stance against equating perpetrators of terrorism with its victims to UK's David Lammy during Lammy's visit to New Delhi on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Jaishankar emphasized India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and expressed the expectation that its partners would understand and respect this position.
Jaishankar's remarks came in response to concerns about some countries drawing parallels between India and Pakistan, particularly in the aftermath of the recent clashes between the two nations. He thanked the UK for their strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and for their continued support in India's fight against terrorism. He stressed that India would never accept a situation where those who commit acts of terror are placed on the same footing as those who suffer from it.
David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, condemned the Pahalgam attack and assured India of the UK's support in combating cross-border terrorism. He acknowledged the importance of stability in the region and expressed the UK's commitment to working with India on counter-terrorism measures. Lammy also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who echoed the need for decisive international action against terrorism and those who provide support to terrorist organizations. Modi expressed appreciation for the UK's support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism.
During the discussions, both ministers addressed various aspects of the India-UK strategic partnership. Jaishankar highlighted the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Double Contribution Convention as significant milestones. He noted that these agreements would not only boost trade and investment between the two countries but also have a positive impact on other strategic aspects of their bilateral relationship, including strengthening supply and value chains. Lammy expressed confidence that the FTA would unlock new economic opportunities for both India and the UK.
The Technology Security Initiative (TSI) was also discussed as a means to enable deeper collaboration in strategic technology sectors such as AI, Semiconductors, Telecom, Quantum, HealthTech/Bio-Tech, Critical Minerals, and Advanced Materials. Both sides recognized the importance of enhancing cooperation in these areas to drive innovation and technological advancements.
Lammy's visit to India, which followed a recent trip to Pakistan, provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the India-UK relationship and to address areas of mutual interest and concern. Jaishankar's firm message on terrorism underscores India's unwavering commitment to combating this threat and its expectation that its international partners share this commitment and avoid any actions that could be interpreted as equating victims and perpetrators of terrorism.
