• The UK and India discussed expanding counter-terrorism cooperation amid heightened tensions with Pakistan.
• British Foreign Minister David Lammy highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable situation.
• India and the UK recently concluded a free trade deal expected to boost bilateral trade significantly.
• Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar hailed the trade agreement as a "milestone" for bilateral relations.
• The two nations aim to enhance economic ties following the UK's exit from the EU.

Britain and India engaged in discussions to expand their "counter-terrorism" cooperation following the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. British Foreign Minister David Lammy, who met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, asserting, "We are keen to continue to work with our Indian partners on counter-terrorism measures," especially in light of recent violence that has strained relations in South Asia, according to Reuters and Dawn.

The tensions stemmed from the killing of 26 individuals in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India attributed to "terrorists" allegedly backed by Pakistan, a charge that Islamabad has denied. This prompted India to target what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan, escalating the conflict until a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10, as noted by TRT Global and Dawn.

During his visit, Lammy underscored the fragility of the situation and expressed a commitment to keeping channels open between the two nations. He also highlighted ongoing discussions from the previous year about combatting terrorism financing and improving law enforcement cooperation. Alongside security measures, Lammy discussed enhancing trade ties, with both nations being major economies globally, according to Reuters and TRT Global.

Additionally, the newly finalized free trade agreement aims to significantly bolster economic relations, with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar describing it as "truly a milestone" that would positively influence bilateral ties and cut tariffs on numerous goods. The deal is expected to increase trade by approximately £25.5 billion, alongside supporting economic growth in both nations, as reported by Dawn and TRT Global.