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Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rattled with Indus Waters Treaty suspension, Pakistan delegation talks 'peace' in US: ‘Endangers livelihood'
Days after India sent across its stern message against terrorism peddled by Islamabad, Pakistan, copying New Delhi's idea, has sent its delegation to the United Kingdom. The visit follows the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation's diplomatic engagements in New York over the recent military conflict with India. The nine-strong group held talks with the United Nations on Sunday, along with the diplomats from member states, and senior US officials to present Pakistan's narrative on the conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. India has punished Pakistan for the terror attack as it put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty. It later attacked and demolished nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan's armed forces triggered an armed conflict with India by targeting the latter's civilian areas and military installations. Also read: 'World now knows the truth': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Operation Sindoor wraps up US visit The conflict came to an end after four days, with India attacking Pakistan's strategic air bases and the latter's DGMO urging peace from his Indian counterpart. Former Pakistani foreign secretary, Jalil Abbas Jilani, a member of the delegation, was quoted as saying by PTI, citing Express Tribune, that Pakistan's message was peace. "Our message was clear – Pakistan seeks peace," he said. Jilani said Islamabad sought the resolution of all issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty, through dialogue. India has maintained that the only dialogue it can hold with Pakistan would be on the topics of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Also read: Delegation led by Shashi Tharoor meets US Vice President JD Vance Speaking to the media, lawmaker Khurram Dastgir highlighted the regional impact of the water dispute and called for the restoration of the treaty. "We explained to US officials that India's suspension of the treaty endangers the livelihood of 240 million people and undermines the region's stability,' he said. Dastgir stressed the water dispute was a matter of survival for Pakistan, asserting the country would not compromise on it. He claimed the Americans initially assumed the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump required no further involvement. "Our mission was to make them understand that intervention is necessary as India wants neither a neutral inquiry nor talks," Dastgir said. Also read: India-US trade negotiations hit top gear, American delegation extends Delhi stay India has rejected Trump's claim that the US brokered the peace. Senator Sherry Rehman, another member of the group, said the mission was focused on advocating for peace and ensuring the water treaty and Kashmir issue remained on the international agenda. Several Indians delegations visited a host of countries across the world to apprise them about Pakistan's nefarious support to cross-border terrorism. With inputs from PTI
Express Tribune
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan delegation visits UK after New York talks on India conflict
Listen to article A high-level Pakistani delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has arrived in the United Kingdom following what officials described as "successful" diplomatic engagements in New York over last month's military standoff with India. The nine-member group held talks with United Nations representatives, diplomats from member states and senior US officials in an effort to present Pakistan's narrative on the recent India-Pakistan conflict and advocate for peace in South Asia. Wrapped up a pivotal peace mission leading Pakistan's high-level delegation in New York @PakistanUN_NY @PakinNY and Washington DC @PakinUSA. Grateful to Team Pakistan, your dedication was critical to our success. We stood for dialogue, dignity, and a just future. Truth and… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 7, 2025 The latest military escalation between the India and Pakistan was triggered by an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, when 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam. India blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the attack, calling it terrorism—an accusation strongly denied by Islamabad. The claim led to Indian military strikes inside Pakistan, sparking days of intense cross-border hostilities between the two neighbours. READ MORE: Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos: Pakistan counters India's Operation Sindoor 'Our message was clear – Pakistan seeks peace and wants all issues, including the Kashmir dispute and the Indus Waters Treaty, resolved through dialogue,' former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, a member of the delegation, said in London. Speaking to a local news channel, lawmaker Khurram Dastgir stressed the regional impact of the water dispute and called for the restoration of the 1960 World Bank-mediated treaty, which India suspended in April. 'We explained to US officials that India's suspension of the treaty endangers the livelihood of 240 million people and undermines the region's stability,' he said. Dastgir stressed that the water dispute is a matter of survival for Pakistan, asserting the country would not compromise on it. He pointed out that the Americans initially assumed the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump required no further involvement. "Our mission was to make them understand that intervention is necessary as India wants neither a neutral inquiry nor talks," Dastgir said. Senator Sherry Rehman, another member of the group, said the focus of the mission was to advocate for peace and ensure the water treaty and Kashmir issue remain on the international agenda. In the UK, the delegation is expected to meet senior British officials to highlight Pakistan's stance on the conflict and its broader implications. British foreign secretary David Lammy recently visited both Islamabad and New Delhi following the ceasefire. 'We want stability, but recognise the fragility of the situation, particularly in the context of terrorism,' Lammy said, referring to concerns over security in the region. He did not disclose details of discussions with Indian leaders. Also read: South Asia at brink over Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty, Bilawal warns US lawmakers Islamabad maintains that New Delhi is denying Kashmiris their right to self-determination and has urged India to implement UN Security Council resolutions. India, in turn, accuses Pakistan of supporting armed militants in the region – a charge Pakistan denies. Earlier, Bilawal urged Donald Trump to mediate efforts to ease escalating tensions between Pakistan and India. In an interview with AFP, the former foreign minister called on Washington to push New Delhi towards comprehensive talks with Islamabad. While noting Pakistan's willingness to discuss terrorism, Bilawal said the Kashmir dispute must remain central to any meaningful dialogue. Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is leading a multi-party delegation to the US tells AFP in an interview that India's so-called 'new normal' is very dangerous for the region and the world because by removing the onus of providing proof the Indians have sharply… — omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) June 6, 2025 Read more: India laying ground for 'first nuclear water war', says Bilawal He cautioned against India's use of terrorism as a pretext for military escalation, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and endanger the lives of over 1.7 billion people in South Asia. Speaking separately to Chinese media, Bilawal accused India of undermining peace through unilateral actions and cross-border aggression. He also encouraged the Pakistani diaspora in the US to unite in promoting peace and contributing to mutual progress.
