David Lammy says India-Pakistan ceasefire is 'hugely welcome' following US-brokered 'full and immediate' deal

The two countries confirmed the ceasefire deal on Saturday after US-led talks to end the conflict, with jubilant scenes in both countries following the peace announcement.

Donald Trump announced that the two nations had agreed to a 'full and immediate' ceasefire on Saturday on his platform Truth Social

It comes after weeks of clashes sparked after gunmen killed 26 people last month, that India blames Pakistan for.

Posting on X, the Foreign Secretary said: “Today’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome.

“I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody’s interest.”

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The first news of the truce was broken by Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social to say that an agreement had been reached after a “long night of talks mediated by the United States”.

“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar confirmed the ceasefire on X saying: "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.

"Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!"

Violent clashes between the two countries were sparked after gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month.

Kashmir has been a contested territory between Pakistan and India since 1947 and the two nuclear-armed neighbours each run part of the region but claim ownership of it all.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined G7 ministers earlier today in calling for an “immediate de-escalation” between India and Pakistan.

A statement issued on Saturday morning said: “We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the high representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan.

“Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides.

“We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.”

International pressure for deescalation came after Pakistan said it was taking retaliatory action after accusing India of launching missiles at three of its airbases.

People living in Indian-controlled Kashmir said they heard loud explosions at multiple places in the region, including the disputed region's two big cities of Srinagar and Jammu, as well as the garrison town of Udhampur.

"Explosions that we are hearing today are different from the ones we heard last two nights during drone attacks," said Sheesh Paul Vaid, the region's former top police official and a resident of Jammu. "It looks like a war here."

Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif said in a televised address that all Pakistan Air Force assets are safe following the Indian strikes and most of the missiles have been intercepted.

He added that some of the Indian missiles also hit India's eastern Punjab, saying "this is a provocation of the highest order".