ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has reiterated Pakistan's readiness to engage in a comprehensive dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, while cautioning against the growing influence of Hindutva ideology, which he says is blocking even basic cooperation between the two neighbours.
Speaking on the country's diplomatic approach, Dar emphasized that while Pakistan remains sincerely committed to the Composite Dialogue process, "it takes two to tango" . He lamented that New Delhi's current posture, shaped by a narrow-minded ideological framework, has stifled even non-political avenues of engagement, such as sports.
"They have become so narrow-minded that even sports are now subjected to this Hindutva philosophy," Dar said.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the stakes of the unresolved tensions extend far beyond bilateral relations, affecting a region home to over two billion people . He called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up and fulfill its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.
"That institution was created for precisely such purposes. The UN Security Council's primary mandate is the maintenance of international peace and security, so this is an issue on which the global community must engage in order to help preserve peace in the region," he stated.
In his most pointed remarks, Dar addressed India's recent moves regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a "vital instrument of regional peace, stability and cooperation" that should never be weaponized . He warned that any unilateral action to disrupt the flow of water would not only violate the treaty but also endanger the stability of the entire region.
"The Indus Waters Treaty is not merely a water-sharing arrangement, but a vital instrument of regional peace, stability and cooperation," Dar emphasized. "Let us reaffirm that shared waters must never be weaponized. They must remain a bridge between nations, guided by cooperation, dialogue and respect for international law, for the benefit of present and future generations" .
His comments come amidst reports that India is actively working to block the flow of water into Pakistan, a move Islamabad has previously warned would be considered an "act of war." Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene, warning that India's unilateral suspension of the treaty carries "grave peace and security, and humanitarian consequences" for South Asia.
