4 days ago
Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 22:48 IST
As water crisis deepens and pressure mounts at home, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif signals willingness to engage with India.
Faced with growing water shortages and economic strain, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif says he's open to talks with India, on his trip to Iran, (IMAGE: X)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan was willing to talk to India to resolve “longstanding issues," including water security and Kashmir, but India has made it clear that any future dialogue will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Shehbaz’s offer came during his visit to Iran, amid a growing water crisis at home and diplomatic isolation abroad. Speaking at a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Shehbaz said Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India “to find solutions to problems, including Kashmir."
However, India’s position has remained firm and consistent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar have repeatedly said that any future conversation with Pakistan will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which remains under illegal occupation despite being an integral part of India.
Speaking at a rally last week in Deshnoke, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a sharp warning to Pakistan, saying that if it continues to export terror, it will end up begging for every penny.
The Prime Minister had said Pakistan will not get a single drop of water that rightfully belongs to India. “Playing with the blood of Indians will cost Pakistan dearly. This is India’s firm resolve, and no global pressure can change that," he told the crowd in Bikaner.
Speaking at a rally in Bhuj, Gujarat, on Monday, on his first visit to the state since Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which tourists were targeted, Modi warned that if Pakistan’s citizens do not choose peace, they would face the wrath of the Indian Army.
“Those who promoted terrorism ruined your future," Modi said to the gathering in Bhuj, a town in Kutch district that shares both land and maritime borders with Pakistan, in a message directed at the citizens of the neighbouring country.
“While India believes in tourism, Pakistan considers terrorism as tourism, which is very dangerous for the world," he said while addressing the public after launching projects worth over Rs 50,000 crore.
“Terrorism is a way of making money for your (Pakistan) government and Army. The people of Pakistan must come forward to end terrorism. Live a happy and peaceful life and have your meal. Otherwise, my bullet is there for you (sukh chain ki zindagi jio, roti khao. Varna meri goli to hai hee)," the Prime Minister asserted in the direct message to those across the border.
The Prime Minister, who completed 11 years in office on Monday, highlighted India’s rise to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan, and challenged Pakistani citizens to reflect on their own nation’s standing.
“I want to ask the people of Pakistan — what have they achieved? Today, India is the 4th largest economy in the world. But what is your situation? Those who promoted terrorism ruined your future," he said.
He recounted the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre, stating “Post-Pahalgam attack, I waited for 15 days hoping Pakistan will take action on terrorism, but it seems it is their bread and butter. On the night of May 9 when Pakistan tried to attack civilians, our military attacked with double force and decimated their air bases."
Location :Tehran, Iran
First Published:News world Pakistan’s Water Woes Prompt Shehbaz To Push For Dialogue: ‘Ready To Talk To India’
