The president of the Popular Party of Pakistan and the former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, said Thursday that Pakistan was ready to continue peace with India, but insisted that any significant commitment must begin with New Delhi honoring past agreements, particularly the Indo Water Treaty.
Speaking at the Middle East Institute in Washington, Bhutto-Zardari said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a delegation with a clear mission: to seek peace through dialogue and diplomacy with India. “You can ask why we are here in Washington and not talking to our adversary … They refuse to speak,” he said, pointing out the persistent lack of will of India to participate.
The president of the PPP emphasized that, although Pakistan is open to new agreements, agreements and even treated with India, progress can only be done if India first honors his existing commitments. “If our dialogue and diplomacy in search of peace are successful … then surely they must first comply with the old treaties and withdraw their decision, namely the Indo Water Treaty,” he said.
He criticized the attitude of the Indian government towards dialogue and cooperation, noting that he had rejected Pakistan’s calls for joint investigations on acts of terrorism, rejected the offer of former president of the United States, Donald Trump, of mediating and continues to reject Pakistan’s Obertures.
“India has been beautifully rejected. They recorded cooperation in terror: you saw it. Pakistan’s prime minister said we have an investigation, they said no. They reject mediation, they reject dialogue,” said PPP president.
He warned that such a refusal to participate in diplomacy would only increase tensions. “All that means is that there will be more terrorism, there will be more war and there will be no peace.”
He added that while the Indian government may be willing to condemn its people to a perpetual state of conflict, Pakistan would not do the same. “I refuse to curse my people, and I refuse to condemn the people of India to this destiny.”
Bilawal said that this is the reason why the Pakistani delegation would continue to travel “from capital to capital” with a simple and urgent message: “We want peace and need your help.”
