China backs Pak, hails its ‘sacrifices’ in terror fight

BEIJING/GOA: China on Monday defended its all-weather ally Pakistan a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it as the “mother ship of terrorism” even

BEIJING/GOA: China on Monday defended its all-weather ally Pakistan a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it as the “mother ship of terrorism” even as leaders of the Bimstec fell short of nailing Islamabad for sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

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Pakistan has made great sacrifices in fighting terror and the world community should recognise this effort, the Chinese foreign ministry said as it mounted an all-out defence of its “iron brother” amid a campaign by New Delhi to isolate Islamabad.

There was no mention of terrorism in the official statement issued by China after Saturday’s meeting between Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in Goa, and Monday’s statement put the official stamp on things — Beijing will not allow Islamabad to be isolated diplomatically over terrorism.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, not only India, but Pakistan too has been a victim of terror.

“China and Pakistan are all-weather friends. India and Pakistan are both victims of terrorism. In combating terrorism, Pakistan has made great sacrifices. This needs to be recognised by the international community,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a news briefing.

Hua repeated China’s stand on terrorism, replete with the usual words and phrases used by Beijing whenever there is talk of the menace, when she was asked about the allegation that Pakistan is the “mother ship of terrorism”.

“Our position is clear and consistent. We oppose terrorism in all forms and we believe that the international community (needs) to make more concerted efforts to ensure stability and security of all countries,” Hua said.

“We oppose linking terrorism to any country or religion (but) whatever country or organisation is involved in terrorism should be seriously tackled by the international community.”

Hua also said India and Pakistan should resolve their outstanding issues through dialogue. “We truly hope they can resolve these differences in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation so that India-Pakistan relationship can develop,” she said.

In Goa, the Bay of Bengal countries, five of them Saarc members, said terrorists should not be glorified as martyrs. But the strong statement from the leaders of Bimstec fell short of making a reference to cross-border terrorism or Pakistan-sponsored terror.

The leaders of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand had an outreach meeting between BRICS leaders on Sunday. Bimstec is meeting at the highest level after two years.

“There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs,” said a statement issued after a retreat of the Bimstec leaders. This is significant for India as Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had hailed militant commander Burhan Wani, killed in Kashmir in July, as a “martyr”. Wani’s killing triggered massive unrest in Kashmir, straining India-Pakistan ties.

Four Bimstec countries – India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka – pulled out of the Saarc summit which was to be held in Islamabad in November.

“We strongly believe that our fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against states who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues,” the Bimstec statement said.

Pared down, this reflects India’s concern about Pakistan sponsoring terror and using its territory for terror attacks against India.

The Bimstec leaders also agreed to expedite the signing of a convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters, and on the early ratification of the convention on cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and drug trafficking.