CRITICALLY ANALYZING BILAWAL BHUTTO’S SPEECH ON THE PAKISTAN–INDIA CONFLICT 2025 AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Abstract

The analysis explores lexical choices, syntactic structures, rhetorical strategies, modality, intertextual references to international law and UN resolutions, and the speech’s ideological and symbolic significance in shaping international discourse. Findings indicate that the speech functions as an ideologically charged intervention aimed at internationalizing the conflict, mobilizing humanitarian and legal discourse, and influencing global perceptions of legitimacy. By situating the analysis within broader debates on political discourse, power, and ideology, the study contributes to CDA scholarship, South Asian political communication, and international relations studies, offering insights into the strategic role of language in conflict diplomacy. The paper examines lexical choice, syntax, rhetorical devices, modality, intertextuality in relation to international law and international resolutions, and ideological significance in relation to international discourse. The results reveal that this is an ideological interventionist discourse intended to internationalize this conflict as well as influence global perceptions. The paper attempts to contextualize within the existing paradigm of political discourse by aiming to contribute to Critical Discourse Analysis discourses, South Asian political communication, or international politics in relation to language strategies in conflict politics.