China on Monday said it would continue to play a constructive role in India-Pakistan ties, adding Beijing supports dialogue and consultations between New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve differences.
The Chinese foreign ministry also welcomed the goodwill messages exchanged between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan on the occasion of the latter’s National Day.
The two leaders exchanged messages at a time when bilateral relations are fraught in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack in February.
It has also emerged that the two countries were close to firing missiles at each other on February 27 following the air strikes by India on a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot area and subsequent clash between the two air forces along the Line of Control.
On March 22, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan put out a tweet saying he had received a message from Prime Minister Modi and quoted the message in the tweet: “It is time that the people of Sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.”
Khan followed that tweet with a response to PM Modi’s message: “As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp (especially) the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people”.
{{/usCountry}}Khan followed that tweet with a response to PM Modi’s message: “As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp (especially) the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people”.
{{/usCountry}}The Chinese foreign ministry said it welcomed the exchange of messages.
“We noted the relevant reports. We welcome the goodwill (messages) sent out to each other by India and Pakistani leaders. We support the two sides in maintaining engagement and improve their relations, stabilise the situation and resolve their differences. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end,” spokesperson, Geng Shuang said at the regular ministry briefing on Monday.
Answering a question on whether China had recalibrated its position on India-Pakistan to mediate between the two countries to resolve their differences, Geng said Beijing’s position on the ties between India and Pakistan is consistent.
“China’s position on India and Pakistan relations is consistent. These two countries are important south Asian countries, and we hope they will resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation. China hopes to stay in friendly relations with both of them and we will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the peace talks between these two countries,” he said.
The ongoing tension between India and Pakistan was the focal point of the first strategic dialogue held in Beijing between visiting Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and state councillor and Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi last week.
At the meeting, amid telling Qureshi to resolve differences with India through dialogue, Wang Yi had expressly assured the Pakistani minister of China’s firm support to Islamabad.
“No matter how things change in the world and the region, China will firmly support Pakistan upholding its independence and territorial integrity and dignity,” Wang told Qureshi.
Wang had said Sino-Pakistan ties remain “rock solid and vibrant” despite the changing international landscape.
Days before Qureshi’s visit, China, for the fourth time, had blocked a bid in the UN Security Council to designate the Pakistan-based JeM, chief, Masood Azhar, as a “global terrorist”, by putting a technical hold on the proposal.
India had termed the move as disappointing.