LONDON, June 8, 2025 — A high-level Pakistani diplomatic delegation, led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has arrived in London after concluding a multi-day advocacy mission in the United States, urging global powers to intervene in resolving Pakistan’s disputes with India.
The delegation, which includes several former ministers and senior diplomats, is seeking support to address escalating regional tensions — particularly over India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and alleged aggression in Kashmir.
“If India does not return to the negotiation table, then given the water dispute and India’s irresponsible statements, war in the subcontinent is inevitable,” warned Khurram Dastgir, a former Pakistani lawmaker.
In London, Pakistani officials reaffirmed their commitment to peace but emphasized the need for international mediation, saying recent U.S.-brokered ceasefires were not sufficient.
Senator Sherry Rehman described meetings with global diplomats as “positive,” adding that there was consensus on the dangers of “weaponizing water” and acknowledgment of the humanitarian crisis in India-occupied Kashmir, which she compared to an “open-air prison.”
Despite the political friction, Rehman insisted:
“We did not travel to the U.S. to malign India — we went to tell Pakistan’s story.”
The diplomatic push is part of Pakistan’s global outreach campaign, with upcoming visits planned in Brussels. The Pakistani delegation has already met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, members of the UN Security Council, and several U.S. lawmakers.
Meanwhile, India has launched its own diplomatic counter-effort, sending seven all-party delegations abroad, including high-profile members like Shashi Tharoor and Tejaswi Surya, to defend India’s stance on terrorism and regional stability. The Indian team has held key meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Senate Intelligence Committee members.
Pakistan’s former caretaker foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized:
“Our message was clear — India has committed aggression, while Pakistan is advocating for peace.”
As both countries intensify their lobbying efforts across world capitals, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described former U.S. President Donald Trump as a “man of peace,” hinting that American mediation could play a vital role in avoiding further escalation.
The diplomatic tug-of-war underscores the increasing volatility in South Asia, as both nuclear-armed neighbors seek to shape international opinion in their favor amid mounting global concerns.