*ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has saidthat India should know increasing defence budget won’t make any difference,however, the passion counts to defend the sovereignty of the country.*

At his weekly news briefing on Thursday – about India’s decision toincrease its defence budget – he said that the increase is aimed at pushingthe region into an *arms race*.

“India should know that increasing defence budget alone won’t make anydifference,” the spokesperson said in a reference to the Feb 27-28 militaryexchanges between the two neighbouring countries. “Passion to defend thecountry’s sovereignty counts,” he clarified.

The FO has urged the World Bank to fulfill its responsibility regardingempanelment of Court of Arbitration for resolution of water relateddisputes between Pakistan and India. The FO spokesperson reacted stronglyto the recent statements of Indian leadership on the *Indus Water Treaty*.