NEW YORK/BRUSSELS: Pakistan’s former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned US lawmakers and diplomats that the risk of full-scale war with India is higher than ever, stressing that recent Indian actions have “dangerously lowered the threshold” for armed conflict in the region.
His warning came after escalations between Pakistan and India following an attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK).
Speaking to the New York Post in an exclusive interview, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed gratitude for Washington’s role in securing a ceasefire.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the role that the US government — President Trump, Secretary [of State] Marco Rubio — created throughout this crisis in helping us all achieve this ceasefire,” said Bilawal.
“But our message has been that the ceasefire is a start. But, it is only a start, and what we seek is assistance in our pursuit of peace through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Speaking in London on June 9, Bilawal said: “India accused Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack without any evidence. We offered an independent international inquiry into the incident.”
The Pakistani delegation that visited Washington last week said that Pakistan was open to working with India on counterterrorism efforts. However, they firmly denied any involvement in the recent IIOJK attack.
“The Prime Minister of Pakistan offered an impartial international inquiry because we were confident that Pakistan is not involved in this terrorist incident,” Zardari said.
“The international intelligence community endorses this view.”
“As things stand now, if there’s a terrorist attack anywhere in India,” he went on, “it immediately means war, and the law of reciprocation means, therefore, if there’s a terrorist attack in Pakistan, we are to also treat it as an act of war.” The young politician also warned that India’s threat to block Pakistan’s water supply was a serious issue, calling it “an existential matter” and saying it would be seen as “an act of war.”
Following visits to Washington, New York and London, the top-level parliamentary delegation from Islamabad has reached Brussels. The nine-member delegation led by Bilawal will hold meetings with senior officials of the European Union and Belgium during its visit to Brussels.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary delegation led by former Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with Bernd Lange, Chairman of the International Trade Committee (INTA) at the European Parliament.
The meeting discussed in detail the regional situation, including bilateral trade.
The parliamentary delegation gave a detailed briefing on the recent aggressive steps taken by India and the deteriorating situation in the region.
During the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the European Union is a champion of the rule of law and they expect it to urge India to refrain from taking extra-legal steps like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. The delegation further said that Pakistan wants peace and supports resolving all issues, including Kashmir, through negotiations. Targeting the civilian population by India and unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty are serious violations not only of international law but also of interstate ethics and treaty principles.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Harmony Dr MusadiK Malik, former caretaker foreign minister Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani were also present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and head of a high-level parliamentary delegation, called for constructive engagement between Pakistan and India to address and resolve prevailing issues including the contentious Kashmir dispute, acts of terrorism, and water conflict.
Speaking in Brussels after his meeting with Bernd Lange, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, Bilawal highlighted the necessity of dialogue over warfare. He emphasised that conflicts can be resolved through peaceful negotiations.
