Pakistan open to dialogue, but India must address core issues: Bilawal

(Web Desk): Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party and head of the parliamentary delegation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has stated that Pakistan is ready to engage in dialogue with India on all matters.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, he said that Pakistan desires peace and acknowledged that former US President Donald Trump played an important role in reducing tensions with India.

He emphasized that India should share its concerns with Pakistan so they can be addressed, and similarly, Pakistan also has a list of issues it wants India to resolve.

Bilawal said that the core issue in negotiations with India remains the Kashmir dispute, which must be resolved. He added that the real cause of terrorism in Kashmir is the unresolved status of the conflict. The more India ignores the issue and continues its policy of oppression, the more it will fuel a reaction that, unfortunately, becomes fodder for terrorist organizations planning future attacks.

He stressed the need to address the root causes of conflict, stating that this is the only way forward.

The PPP chairman also criticized India’s recent decision to suspend water supply to 240 million Pakistanis, saying such actions amount to aggression. He emphasized that if new talks are to take place with India, they should include new agreements, but it is equally important to implement existing ones to build mutual trust.

Bilawal Bhutto further said that India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan, citing the arrest of Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan as evidence.

He also stated that India is using water as a weapon, calling its move to block water for 240 million Pakistanis an act of hostility.

In response to a question, he said that Pakistan has maintained transparency to uphold its credibility—whether with the media, its own people, or its international partners.