Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has urged the United States, particularly President Donald Trump, to continue playing a constructive role in fostering peace between Pakistan and India by facilitating comprehensive dialogue, including on the Kashmir dispute.
In an interview with international news agency AFP, Bilawal welcomed the role played by the US in encouraging the recent ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and emphasized the need to build on that momentum.
“Just like the United States and President Trump played a role in encouraging us to achieve this ceasefire, I believe they should play their part in encouraging both sides to engage in a comprehensive dialogue,” Bilawal stated.
He expressed appreciation for President Trump’s efforts, saying, “I'm the first to criticize the United States for so many reasons, but where they do the right thing, where they do the difficult task of actually achieving a ceasefire, they deserve appreciation.”
"President Trump has repeatedly spoken of preventing nuclear war. This trend of improvement in Pak-US relations during President Trump's tenure is welcome," Bilawal exclaimed.
Bilawal questioned New Delhi’s reluctance to move forward with talks, saying, “I don't quite understand the Indian government's hesitance.” He described India’s approach to regional tensions as dangerous, citing a growing trend where countries leap toward conflict in the aftermath of terrorist incidents.
The PPP chairman stressed that while Pakistan is open to dialogue on terrorism, Kashmir must be addressed as the “root cause” of tensions in South Asia.
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He also criticized what he called a "new normal" India is trying to establish in the region -- responding to terrorism with the threat of war -- arguing that such an approach risks destabilizing a region home to over 1.7 billion people.
“I think that the fate of 1.7 billion people and our two great nations should not be left in the hands of these nameless, faceless, non-state actors,” he said.
Bilawal, whose mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in a terrorist attack, said his personal loss underscores his understanding of the threat posed by terrorism, but reiterated that lasting peace in the region is only possible through dialogue that also addresses the Kashmir issue.
A day ago, in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg during his visit to the United States, Bilawal said India's current military posture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly raised the risk of a nuclear confrontation in the event of any future conflict.
“India’s new aggressive ideology has increased the nuclear risks in the region. The use of nuclear-capable missiles makes the situation extremely critical and reduces Pakistan’s time to respond to any potential strike,” Bilawal cautioned.
Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan gave a full and measured response to India’s previous provocations, and now the time has come for comprehensive dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “We must sit down and talk. Long-term peace in the region is impossible without direct and meaningful engagement,” he said.
