Willing to help in mending IndoPak ties, says Beijing

China on Wednesday highlighted the “conflict” in Kashmir and offered to play a “constructive role” in improving India-Pakistan ties even as it maintained silence on the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims that claimed seven lives.

“The situation in Kashmir has attracted the attention of the international community,” foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a regular news briefing.

The “conflict” near the Line of Control (LoC) would not only impact the “peace and tranquillity” of India and Pakistan, but also affect the region, he said.

“Pakistan and India are both important countries in South Asia,” Geng said. “China was willing to play a constructive role in improving relations between India and Pakistan.”

Geng was responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist about the situation along the LoC and the role Beijing could play in resolving differences.

Neither the spokesperson nor the Chinese government formally condemned the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir on Monday.

The investigation into the incident has just begun but India authorities suspect the involvement of Pakistan-based Lashkare-Taiba, a group banned by the US and the UN.

Key western powers and most countries in India’s neighbourhood have condemned the attack, describing it as heinous and against humanity. China is the only major power and neighbour to remain silent on it.

Relations between China and India have hit a fresh low because of a military standoff in the Sikkim sector. Indian troops acted in coordination with the Bhutan government to oppose the construction of a road by Chinese troops in the Donglang or Doklam region. claimed by Thimphu. Both sides have deployed more troops in the sector .