Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterparts in India and Pakistan on immediately reducing tensions in that region.

The UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The UK has been, and continues to be, in close contact at senior levels in both countries.

The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on 3 March to welcome his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and to emphasise the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups in support of global efforts to combat terrorism. During a visit to India on 1 March, I met Indian Foreign Secretary Gokhale to express the UK's concern at current tensions and to encourage a peaceful diplomatic solution. On Wednesday 27 February, I spoke to both the Indian and Pakistan High Commissioners on these issues. On Monday 25 February, the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Indian and Pakistani counterparts, Sushma Swaraj and Shah Mahmood Qureshi respectively, to discuss the situation. He spoke to Shah Mahmood Qureshi again on Thursday 28 February.

We welcome the fact that both countries have said they do not want to escalate tensions. We are working hard with them and our international partners to encourage de-escalation and to ensure regional stability.