Bilawal Bhutto's UN Speech, Diplomatic Efforts Lack Credibility: Indian Govt Sources To News18

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Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 18:50 IST

High-ranking government sources noted that Bilawal repeatedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with inflammatory language

Bilawal framed India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of the UN Charter, warning that enforcing it could be seen as an act of war. File pic/Reuters

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s speech at the United Nations and his broader diplomatic efforts lack substantial credibility, top Indian government sources told CNN-News18 on Wednesday.

“His rhetoric against India is undiplomatic, and as foreign minister, he was known for taking holidays at government expense," a source said. “He appears to be doing the same now without a proper briefing."

Bilawal has made deliberate personal attacks on the Indian leadership. A Sindhi leader has accused the army of using Bilawal as a propaganda tool to distract from Pakistan’s internal crises, including human rights abuses in Sindh, Balochistan, and PoGB, said sources. Bilawal’s inability to address a journalist who referred to “Muslim Indian military officers" as part of the Indian government’s briefings during last month’s conflict highlighted his delegation’s poor preparation.

High-ranking government sources noted that Bilawal repeatedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with inflammatory language, likening him to a “Temu version of Netanyahu". Such personal attacks violate diplomatic norms, which focus on state conduct rather than individual condemnation. He claimed that India demonises Muslims, but a journalist making a reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stumped him.

Bilawal framed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of the UN Charter, warning that enforcing it could be seen as an act of war. “This language is inconsistent with diplomatic efforts aimed at finding solutions. He asserted Pakistan’s innocence regarding the Pahalgam attack while ignoring evidence of involvement by Pakistan-based terror groups, including Saifullah Kasuri," a source said.

While advocating for comprehensive dialogue, Bilawal simultaneously accused India of aggressive posturing and violating international law. He credited the US for the India-Pakistan ceasefire but overlooked that the agreement was finalised through direct talks, initiated by a call from Pakistan’s DGMO.