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It's time for India and Pakistan to work together on climate change: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated his country's opposition to India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

TN World Desk

Updated Sep 30, 2022, 02:57 IST

Pic courtesy: @BBhuttoZardari

Photo : Twitter

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Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is in Washington DC for various bilateral meetings
"One-third of our country is under water. One in seven people (is impacted by floods)," said Bilawal
He added: "If we are saying that to fight climate change, the US and China should work together. (We) should think about India and Pakistan working together on the issue of climate change"

Washington: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that New Delhi and Islamabad should work together on climate change and highlighted the impact of global warming that led to unprecedented floods in his country.

He is in Washington DC for various bilateral meetings.

While talking to a group of Pakistani journalists, Bilawal said that in light of the situation his country faces due to floods, "it's time that both India and Pakistan work together on the issue of climate change".

"One-third of our country is under water. One in seven people (is impacted by floods). If we are saying that to fight climate change, the US and China should work together. (We) should think about India and Pakistan working together on the issue of climate change," said the Pakistan Foreign Minister.

Experts and scientists attribute Pakistan's disastrous situation to melting glaciers as a result of climate change. A massive USD 66 million humanitarian aid package has been announced by the United States for Pakistan.

While addressing another question relating to UN Security Council reform, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan's opposition to India's bid for permanent membership in the global body's organ.

He further said that Pakistan supports abolishing the UN Security Council veto. Referring to neighbouring India, Bhutto said, "we don't have that reciprocal partner over there".

"2018-19 has made it impossible for us to engage (with India) for a whole host of reasons," he said, noting that if there is one area where they can work together, it is climate change.

"Because, what we have experienced, I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemies," he said.

Pakistan's floods have claimed the lives of over 1,600 people and displaced over 33 million others.

The estimated damage of USD 30 billion has been caused by floods, which left a third of the country submerged under water.

The Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan have strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

After India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019, the ties between the two countries nosedived.

As a result of India's decision, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with New Delhi and expelled the Indian envoy. Since then, Pakistan and India's trade relations have largely been frozen.

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