Bilawal urges dialogue as delegation wraps up Brussels visit on Indian aggression

Pakistani delegation, led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, concluded its Brussels tour, calling on European leaders to assist in de-escalating tensions with India following a fragile ceasefire in May.

The delegation was formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to present Islamabad’s perspective on its recent conflict with India. The tour aimed to garner international support, particularly from the European Union, in preventing further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

“We must steer the region back from the brink of war,” Bilawal said in a statement on social media, urging Europe to act as a champion of the rules-based international order.

During their Brussels visit, the delegation met with EU parliamentarians, the EU Commission, Belgian leadership, international think tanks, and foreign media outlets. The delegation pushed for dialogue and counterterrorism cooperation with India, emphasising the dangers of a nuclear conflict.

He also highlighted the challenges posed by India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the shared use of the Indus river system.

The Pakistani delegation expressed grave concerns about India’s “weaponisation” of water resources and called for restraint after the ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington in May.

“Europe, as a champion of international law, must help us de-escalate this situation,” Bilawal said. He also raised concerns about the risk of further water conflicts, noting that the Indus Waters Treaty had yet to be revived despite the ceasefire.

Sherry Rehman, a prominent member of the delegation, said that while some members would return to Pakistan, others would visit Strasbourg for further discussions. She stressed that the global diplomatic framework must be restored to counter growing strains on international law.