Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Urges Dialogue to Defuse Pakistan-India Tensions

BRUSSELS: Former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari cautioned on Saturday that without discourse between Pakistan and India, strain between the two countries, both possessing nuclear arms, will continue to escalate.

“The region’s security is more precarious than before the recent conflict, with India consistently avoiding negotiations,” Bilawal stated during a press conference held in Brussels.

The former foreign minister’s statement was made as he leads a prominent Pakistani Parliamentary delegation currently visiting Brussels, the capital of the European Union. Prior to this, Bilawal completed successful visits to Washington, New York, and London as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic endeavors to challenge Indian narratives following the recent conflict.

The delegation’s visits are intended to articulate Pakistan’s stance on the recent tensions and to underscore the importance of addressing the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the desires of the Kashmiri populace, according to a press statement.

The parliamentary delegation consists of Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari.

The recent contention between the two nuclear powers was initiated by New Delhi following an incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, where armed individuals killed 26 civilians. India characterized the event as a terrorist act orchestrated by Pakistan, a claim strongly refuted by Pakistan.

Following the incident, India initiated an operation unilaterally, resulting in the deaths of numerous civilians in unprovoked aggressions against Pakistan. After three days of continuous unprovoked attacks by Indian forces, Pakistan’s military responded with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which Islamabad maintained was an act of self-defense.

Pakistan claimed to have downed six IAF fighter aircraft, including three Rafales, alongside numerous drones. After approximately 87 hours, a ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, concluded the conflict on May 10.

Bilawal emphasized the critical need for discussions between Islamabad and New Delhi to peacefully resolve existing disputes between the two nations.

“Pakistan desires peace; war offers no solutions,” he commented, noting that despite both nations having nuclear capabilities, tensions have increased rapidly.

Referring to India’s decision regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the politician expressed dismay that New Delhi was using water as a weapon.

“A ceasefire has been established with India, yet peace remains elusive,” he added, describing India’s threat to halt Pakistan’s water supply as a provocation attempt.

“Pakistan will consistently advocate for enduring peace, and we cannot risk a third world war,” he emphasized.

Earlier, while addressing a European think tank, the PPP leader highlighted Pakistan’s measured response to Indian provocations, while also warning that any further attempts to impede water flow would require Islamabad to consider retaliatory actions.