Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto has warned that changes to the Indus Water Treaty could lead to war. India-Pakistan tensions have escalated following Army Chief Asim Munir's nuclear threat.
India-PAK: Anti-India rhetoric continues unabated in Pakistan. Just a day after Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir's recent nuclear threat, former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari openly threatened war against India on Monday. He claimed that if India makes changes to the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan will not hesitate to retaliate.
Aggressive Statements Regarding Indus Water Treaty Dispute
Speaking at an event organized by the Sindh government's Culture Department, Bilawal Bhutto accused India of "aggression" and said that "every Pakistani is ready for war." He stated that the Indus River is an integral part of Pakistan's history, culture, and civilization, and any alteration to it could trigger a war.
Bhutto claimed that Pakistan's armed forces have given India "historic responses" in the past and will continue to do so. He also stated that India's "aggressive water policy" poses a direct threat to Pakistan's water supply.
Tensions Rise After Pahalgam Attack
Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people died, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Pakistan bly protested this decision. Bilawal alleges that India is using this suspension to threaten Pakistan.
Controversial Statement by Pak Army Chief
Bilawal's comment came a day after Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir reportedly said that "if Pakistan sinks, it will take half the world with it." This statement was reportedly made during a meeting with US military officials in Florida, USA.
Sharp Reaction from India
New Delhi bly condemned these statements. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India would not bow down to any "nuclear blackmail" and would take all necessary steps to protect its national security. Indian officials also questioned the credibility of Pakistan's nuclear command and control system.
The MEA reiterated that the Pakistani army works in conjunction with terrorist organizations, posing a serious threat to regional stability.
Bhutto's Call for War
In his speech, Bilawal Bhutto said that the people of Sindh have always come forward to protect the Indus River and will not back down even in a state of war. He even stated that in another war, Pakistan could "reclaim all its six rivers."
