Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in London on Thursday, with the two officials discussing the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), regional security and the broader Pakistan-UK relationship.

The meeting took place during Dar’s four-day official visit to the United Kingdom, which is scheduled to conclude on August 28. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two sides held delegation-level discussions covering the full range of bilateral relations.

Dar highlighted what Pakistan describes as India’s continuing violations of its international obligations and stressed the importance of respecting international law and treaty commitments.

The Indus Waters Treaty has faced renewed pressure since India announced in 2025 that it was placing its obligations under the agreement in abeyance following the deadly Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Islamabad rejected the allegations and called for a neutral investigation.

Pakistan and UK agree on formal dialogue mechanism

A key outcome of the London meeting was an agreement to establish a structured mechanism for regular formal discussions between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

The mechanism will cover areas of bilateral cooperation and allow both sides to periodically review progress on important issues.

The Foreign Office said Dar and Miliband emphasised the need for sustained high-level engagement and closer coordination on matters of mutual interest.

The new framework could provide Islamabad and London with a more consistent channel for discussing diplomatic, economic, security and regional matters.

Middle East diplomacy discussed

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East.

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Dar briefed Miliband on Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region and highlighted progress achieved through those initiatives.

Miliband praised what he described as Pakistan’s constructive role and facilitation efforts in supporting dialogue, diplomacy and stability in the Middle East.

The discussion comes as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its diplomatic role in resolving regional disputes and encouraging negotiations rather than further escalation.

Dar raises concerns over Afghan-based militant threats

Security concerns linked to Afghanistan also featured prominently in the talks.

Dar raised what the Foreign Office described as terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil, referring to militant groups operating from Afghanistan that Pakistan says pose a security threat.

The two sides stressed the importance of continued engagement to promote peace, stability and cooperation across the region.

The issue of security along Pakistan’s western border remains a major concern for Islamabad, which has repeatedly called on Afghan authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to plan or conduct attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistani diaspora highlighted

The two ministers also discussed the important role played by the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom.

The Foreign Office said they agreed on the importance of strengthening longstanding people-to-people links between Pakistan and Britain.

The Pakistani diaspora remains an important element of bilateral relations, with significant social, economic and cultural connections linking the two countries.

Both sides expressed support for further strengthening these ties alongside wider government-to-government cooperation.

Dar continues diplomatic engagements in London

The meeting with Miliband was part of a wider series of engagements during Dar’s UK visit.

Over the past several days, the deputy prime minister has met senior international officials, British parliamentarians of Pakistani origin and representatives of major international organisations.

Dar also met the head of the International Maritime Organisation, where he called for urgent institutional action to secure the release and return of 10 Pakistani sailors reportedly being held captive by Somali pirates.

A day earlier, he met Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey.

Dar’s London visit therefore combines bilateral diplomacy with discussions on international security, maritime issues and Pakistan’s wider diplomatic priorities.

The meeting with Miliband, however, placed the Indus Waters Treaty and regional security at the centre of Pakistan-UK discussions, while the proposed foreign ministry dialogue mechanism could provide a new structure for regular consultations between Islamabad and London.