"Bilawal Bhutto, of Pakistan, announces public readiness for conflict, in response to Munir's nuclear threats."
In a bold move, the Pakistani Army Chief made a threatening statement towards India while addressing a community event in Tampa, Florida. The Army Chief asserted that the Indus River is not India's property and warned of potential consequences if India attempts to control the water flow.
The Indus Water Treaty, a decades-old agreement signed in 1960, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan. The World Bank serves as a signatory to this treaty, which sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding the use of waters from the Indus River system.
Recent statements from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of Pakistan's ruling party, have reflected strong threats towards India amid escalating tensions. Bhutto Zardari declared that if India stops the flow of Indus River water to Pakistan, "Indian blood will flow," warning of violent consequences. He reiterated that the Indus River "belongs to Pakistan" and accused India of launching a "historic attack" on Pakistan’s heritage and civilization by suspending or altering the treaty.
Bhutto Zardari emphasized that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty is illegal under international law and called India’s claims baseless. He warned India has only two options: share water fairly or Pakistan will take water from all six rivers referenced in the treaty, strongly implying a readiness for conflict. He asserted Pakistan's right to self-defense if India uses water as a weapon, saying Pakistan is prepared to respond decisively and claim victory if necessary.
These threats come after India suspended the treaty following a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, which India blames on Pakistan-based militants. Bilawal’s rhetoric highlights the Indus River water issue as a critical national and cultural symbol for Pakistan and frames any Indian attempts to curtail water flow as an aggression that could trigger war.
It is important to note that there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the Indus Water Treaty in the past. The Pak Army Chief's recent statements have added fuel to the fire, with him threatening to destroy any dam built by India with ten missiles, and comparing India to a Mercedes and Pakistan to a dump truck.
As of now, no official Indian response to these threats has been noted in recent reports. The Indus Water Treaty remains a contentious issue between the two nations, and the ongoing tensions have raised concerns about the stability of the region.
The Indus Water Treaty, a longstanding agreement, is not only a water-sharing deal but also a symbol of cultural significance for Pakistan, as highlighted by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's aggressive rhetoric towards India. Politics and business are at the heart of this conflict, with both parties threatening potential war-and-conflicts over general-news like water access and control.
