ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of meetings with senior British officials during his visit to London, discussing India’s treaty commitments, regional security, the Middle East and Pakistan-UK relations, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Dar’s engagements come as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation and negotiated outcomes in the Middle East, while also seeking closer coordination with Britain on regional security issues and bilateral cooperation.
UK backs Pakistan’s regional role
Dar first held delegation-level talks with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, where the two sides discussed key regional and international developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East, the Indus Waters Treaty and regional security.
Dar shared Pakistan’s “diplomatic and mediation efforts” in the region and the progress achieved through those engagements. Miliband appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive role and facilitation efforts” in promoting dialogue, diplomacy and stability in the Middle East, the Foreign Office said.
India’s treaty commitments
During the meeting, Dar highlighted India’s “persistent violations” of its international obligations and stressed the importance of upholding international law and treaty commitments.
Pakistan has repeatedly said India is violating both the letter and spirit of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, warning that a series of hydropower projects, disputed engineering designs and New Delhi’s decision to place the treaty “in abeyance” threaten Pakistan’s water security.
Signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the sharing of the six rivers of the Indus Basin between Pakistan and India.
Security concerns from Afghanistan
Dar also expressed “serious concern” over terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil and the threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan to Pakistan’s peace and security, according to the Foreign Office.
The two sides also reviewed the “full spectrum” of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and agreed to establish a “structured mechanism” for formal talks between their foreign ministries to cover areas of cooperation and regularly review progress.
Dar meets UK state minister
Dar later met UK Minister of State Stephen Doughty in London, with discussions focusing on Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.
The deputy prime minister welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral ties and stressed the importance of sustained engagement to strengthen political, economic and institutional linkages between the two countries.
The two sides discussed ways to enhance trade and investment, expand cooperation in emerging sectors, strengthen climate cooperation and promote cultural exchanges. Dar also highlighted the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Britain, describing it as a “vital bridge” between the two countries.
They also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan and underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and continued engagement in support of regional peace and stability.
Doughty appreciated Pakistan’s “important role” in promoting regional peace and stability and reaffirmed Britain’s interest in maintaining close engagement with Pakistan on bilateral and regional issues.
NSA talks widen security focus
Dar’s latest meeting with British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell brought the discussions into a broader security framework, covering developments across South Asia, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The two sides also reviewed Pakistan-UK cooperation in counterterrorism and security, including intelligence sharing and other areas of mutual security interest.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s important role in promoting regional peace and security and underscored its sustained diplomatic engagement in support of dialogue, de-escalation and negotiated outcomes, the Foreign Office said.
Both sides agreed to maintain close consultations on regional security developments and further strengthen Pakistan-UK cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and other areas of mutual security interest.