THIS is with reference to the report “Assault on rivers will be ‘act of war’” and the editorial “New Delhi’s ill-advised route” (April 25) about the folly of the Indian approach and Pakistan’s reaction to it. The Pahalgam incident has surely reignited concerns in the region and the world at large.

The timing of the attack has raised questions. For instance, why were nearly 2,000 tourists allowed to visit a historically volatile region without adequate security? And, mind you, this is not the only question being asked by many among the sane elements in the world, including India.

Instead of reflecting on its own failure, India has chosen escalation by announcing the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which is one of the few remaining mechanisms of cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan’s vow to defend the right to water and life is not inflammatory rhetoric; it is a necessary assertion of sovereignty in the face of provocation.

Having said that, Pakistan’s diplomatic strategy vis-a-vis India has remained frustratingly reactive. Only recently, the hijacking of the Jaffar Express had offered an opportunity to spotlight the foreign sponsorship of terrorism on Pakistani territory.

The arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav has to date remained one of the clearest indicators of India’s covert interference. Yet, Pakistan’s diplomatic messaging remains subdued, as if it has come to accept these assaults as a grim inevitability.

When any sort of violence strikes India, it dominates headlines and garners swift global sympathy. When Pakistan suffers similar attacks, it struggles to break through the world’s indifference. This is not about equating tragedies or leveraging grief; it is about refusing silence.

Proactive diplomacy must be swift and persistent as well as grounded in verifiable facts. We must abandon passive diplomacy and adopt a strategy of relentless, fact-based advocacy — delivered consistently.

The international community cannot afford to remain a bystander. The United Nations, global powers, and all regional organisations must act to de-escalate the tide of tensions.

This should include calling for evidence- based accountability, pressing both the countries to commit to dialogue with the aim of upholding the sanctity of all international agreements, like the Indus Waters Treaty.

Independent investigations into all incidents like the Pahalgam attack and the Jaffar Express hijacking should be prioritised to prevent seriously dangerous miscalculations.

Truly, war is nothing but the collapse of diplomacy, a failure of leadership, and a victory only for those who profit from the prevalent unrest. The world at large has to act swiftly before it gets too late.

Ayesha Youssuf
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2025