Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that India’s use of a nuclear-capable supersonic missile during a recent standoff with Pakistan has dangerously lowered the threshold for future military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.
India’s Missile Use Heightens Tensions
In an interview with Bloomberg, Bilawal criticized India’s missile deployment, saying it forces Pakistan to make split-second decisions with minimal intelligence. “We then have about 30 seconds to decide… is it armed with a nuclear weapon? And how do we respond?” he questioned, emphasizing the grave risks involved.
Bilawal argued that New Delhi’s actions have made any future clash more dangerous, making de-escalation extremely difficult. He said India is imposing a new and reckless “abnormal” on the region, where accusations can swiftly trigger full-scale military responses.
Call for Dialogue and De-escalation
Speaking from New York, where he leads a high-level parliamentary delegation to the UN, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s message of “peace with dignity and equality.” He urged both countries to resume comprehensive dialogue to prevent escalation during future crises.
“Our concern is that the threshold is now too low for conflict,” he warned, adding that in the event of future hostilities, both sides could quickly escalate beyond the reach of international mediation.
Kashmir and Terror Allegations
Bilawal categorically rejected India’s claims regarding the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), stating that no evidence was ever presented. He criticized the Modi government’s alleged strategy of using terrorism accusations without proof to justify military aggression.
“You just need an accusation, and you launch into a full-blown war with Pakistan,” he said, calling this new approach dangerously irresponsible.
Water Dispute and Existential Threats
At a separate event at the Middle East Institute, Bilawal also raised alarm over India’s threats to Pakistan’s water supply. He said cutting off water under the Indus Water Treaty would be “an act of war,” warning it could spark the world’s first “nuclear water war.”
He urged the U.S. and global community to take a firm stance, warning that if India sets a precedent by violating the treaty, “we will fight the first war — but it won’t be the last.”
