New Delhi: Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is up to war-mongering yet again. Days after he faced embarrassment in the US for accusing India of ‘demonising’ Muslims, the former Pakistani foreign minister has said that there will be war unless India comes to the negotiating table on issues such as water sharing and Kashmir.
Bhutto Zardari, chief of the Pakistan People’s Party, made the comments in an interview with German broadcaster DW Urdu during a visit to Brussels on Sunday.
“All outstanding issues between Pakistan and India can only be resolved through comprehensive dialogue,” he said, adding: “If India does not come to the table, it will not be in their favour.”
He went on to say that any attempt by India to block Pakistan’s water supply would be seen as an existential threat, leaving Pakistan with no option but war. A day earlier, Bhutto Zardari had urged the international community to bring India to the table for talks and to play its role in ensuring lasting peace in South Asia — including resolution of the longstanding Kashmir issue, water issues, and terrorism — through a composite dialogue.
India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of cross-border terrorism.
Composite dialogue between the two nations was launched in 2003 when Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight components, containing all contentious issues between India and Pakistan.
The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and has not been restored since. Bhutto Zardari said that while Pakistan does not seek war, it will not compromise on its national security or water rights.
He reiterated that while Pakistan continues to advocate peace, issues like water security are non-negotiable.
India suspended the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror strike on April 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear since that water and blood can’t flow together, just as talks and terrorism can’t take place at the same time.
