August 22, 2018
On Wednesday, China offered to play a “constructive role” to ease tensions between India & Pakistan following the change of guard in Islamabad.
“We welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian & Pakistani leaders on improving their bilateral relations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said during his regular media briefing.
Mr. Lu was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reported remarks seeking “meaningful & constructive engagement” with Pakistan, in a letter to Pakistan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
In a tweet in English & Urdu, Mr. Khan, in turn, has proposed that, “To move forward Pakistan & India must dialogue & resolve their conflicts including Kashmir.”
The spokesperson specifically cited China’s concerns regarding “regional” security, in its offer to play a role in the India-Pakistan equation.
“Both Pakistan & India are important countries in South Asia. The improvement & development of their relations are quite important to the regional peace & stability & prosperity,” Mr. Lu said.
He hoped that New Delhi & Islamabad “can jointly stay committed to the regional peace & development”.
“China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect,” he said.
However, the spokesman in response to supplementary questions, declined to characterise Beijing’s proposal as an offer for “mediation” between India & Pakistan.
“I just now said we’re glad to see the positive remarks by India & Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations & all the efforts that are conducive to the improvement of their relations & peace & stability in the region. We welcome that & we’ll (play a) constructive role in this aspect.”
Mr. Lu declined to be drawn into the exact nature of Beijing’s role, asserting that he couldn’t “give a pre-judgment” on this topic.
China has, in the past, pointed to bilateral talks between India & Pakistan as the basis of resolving the Kashmir issue. Mr. Lu also didn’t appear to change the basic template of bilateralism. “As a common neighbour to Pakistan & India, China firmly supports 2 sides to enhance dialogue & increase mutual trust & properly handle & solve their differences.”
China has been visibly emphatic in its advocacy for the resolution of Indo-Pak differences since the June summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where New Delhi & Islamabad were welcomed as full members of the grouping.
In an interview during the course of the summit with the state-owned China Global Television Network (CGTN), foreign minister & State councillor Wang Yi had stressed that India & Pakistan mustn’t “see each other as opponents & much less enemies”.
He pointed out that the SCO could provide a “better platform” to resolve the bitter feud between New Delhi & Islamabad of over 7 decades.
“We know that there’re unresolved historical conflicts existing between Pakistan & India. But I think after their joining the SCO, maybe we can provide a better platform & opportunities for the building of relations between them,” Mr. Wang added.
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