Washington, DC :–“Our mission is peace—peace through dialogue and diplomacy with our archrival, India,” said Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of a high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation currently visiting the United States to present Pakistan’s perspective on peace and security in the region.
Referring to the jingoistic rhetoric of Indian leadership, Bilawal said, “They’re condemning my generation and future generations not only to fight over Kashmir, not only to wage all-out war whenever there’s a terrorist attack, but also to fight over water.”
“I refuse to condemn the people of my country to such a future and I bear no ill will toward the people of India. I refuse to let the youth of India, my children, and their children fight over water, Kashmir, or terrorism,” he added.
Speaking at the Middle East Institute, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized de-escalation, regional cooperation, and resolving longstanding issues to prevent further instability in South Asia. He stated that Pakistan is committed to dialogue with India to resolve tensions, particularly over Kashmir, terrorism, and water disputes. However, India has refused direct talks, prompting Pakistan to seek U.S. support as a mutual friend to facilitate dialogue.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former foreign minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Zardari highlighted India’s violation of UN resolutions and international law in Kashmir, noting that recent U.S. offers to mediate have reframed Kashmir as an international, rather than internal, issue. India’s claim that it is a bilateral issue post-conflict further underscores the need for dialogue, he said.
He reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism and denied involvement in recent attacks in Illegally Indian occupied Kashmir, offering an impartial international inquiry, which India rejected. He stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to combat terrorism, citing a resurgence of groups like the TTP, BLA, Daesh, and others in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal.
Cautioning the international community, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari described India’s threat to cut off Pakistan’s water supply, in violation of the Indus Water Treaty, as a potential trigger for a full scale war. He called on the U.S. and global community to oppose this precedent, warning of catastrophic consequences for regional stability.
Bilawal noted that Pakistan achieved military success in the five-day conflict, repelling Indian assaults and downing their planes. Diplomatically, he continued, India’s actions had “re-hyphenated” India-Pakistan in the US as well as global context.
Bilawal urged India to engage in dialogue to address terrorism, Kashmir, and water issues collaboratively. Joint efforts could foster a conducive environment in Kashmir, ensure water security, and combat climate change challenges like floods, pollution and droughts affecting both nations.
Highlighting the lack of trade and people-to-people contact, the former foreign minister proposed that peace and bilateral cooperation between India and Pakistan could lead to an India-Pakistan Economic Corridor, unlocking prosperity for both nations and enhancing regional trade, benefiting global partners like the U.S.
Members of the Pakistani delegation expressed gratitude for the positive response in Washington and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, calling on global leaders to support such an important endeavor.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
