London, June 9, 2025: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has issued a strong statement warning India that water is a non-negotiable right for Pakistan, condemning India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a blatant violation of international law.
Speaking during a diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom, where he is leading a Pakistani delegation, Bilawal stressed, “Water is a lifeline for Pakistan. Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty is not only illegal—it is tantamount to a declaration of war. There will be no compromise on this issue.”
The visit to London follows a diplomatic tour of the United States, where the delegation held high-level discussions with American lawmakers, policy think tanks, and the Pakistani diaspora. The delegation’s core objective, as mandated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is to expose what Islamabad describes as India’s “belligerent posture” in the region.
Tensions have escalated following New Delhi’s recent announcement to “pause” certain provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered agreement signed in 1960 which governs the distribution of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. India alleges that Pakistan has misused the treaty as a political tool, while Islamabad insists any unilateral action breaches international legal frameworks.
The Indus Waters Treaty, often cited as one of the most successful examples of water diplomacy, has withstood multiple wars and decades of hostilities. Legal experts and water policy scholars have expressed concern over its possible breakdown. According to a 2024 International Crisis Group report, “the collapse of IWT could signal the start of a new era of water insecurity in South Asia, with cascading implications for millions.”
In an interview with a foreign TV channel, Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan remains a responsible nuclear state, committed to peace and diplomacy. However, he warned that India’s aggressive posturing, including misinformation campaigns and unsubstantiated allegations, is undermining regional stability.
Referring to India’s accusations against Pakistan in the recent Pahalgam incident in Indian-administered Kashmir, Bilawal said, “India continues to spread disinformation. No evidence has been provided. Instead of dialogue, India is pushing the region toward conflict.”
Bilawal emphasized that Pakistan has always advocated peaceful resolution of disputes, including the long-standing Kashmir conflict and water sharing issues. “If the Kashmir issue is resolved, other problems including water can also be addressed. Peace is possible, but not without justice,” he said.
He also acknowledged the efforts of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2021 following cross-border tensions. “There was a ceasefire, but there was no real peace. The region remains fragile,” Bilawal noted.
