China makes a U-turn, backs Pakistan on terror
BEIJING: Pakistan has made great sacrifices in fighting terror and has a clear conscience, China said on Friday, five days after Beijing joined other Brics members in condemning terror groups operating from that country.
China’s message of support for its “iron brother” came at a joint news conference by foreign minister Wang Yi and visiting Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif.
“The government and people of Pakistan made huge efforts and sacrifice on the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifice are for everyone to see. The international community should recognise that,” Wang said.
Some countries need to give Pakistan the full credit it deserves in this regard, Wang said. “Terrorism is a global issue. It requires concerted efforts. Instead of blaming each other, countries need to work with each other,” he added in remarks apparently aimed at India, which has highlighted its concerns over cross-border terrorism.
“When it comes to the issue of counter-terrorism, we believe Pakistan has done its best with a clear conscience,” Wang said, virtually going back on the Brics statement which stated that those committing or supporting acts of terror must be held accountable.
In what was seen as a diplomatic win for India, leaders of Brics listed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed among groups causing violence and posing a threat to regional security.
The statement was seen as a big concession by China, which has blocked India’s repeated efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar sanctioned by the UN Security Council.