China backs Pak ‘quest’ for better ties with India
Supports Islamabad’s ‘efforts’ to settle outstanding disputes
China appreciates Pakistan’s “quest for peace” and its efforts to “improve ties” with India through “dialogue, cooperation and negotiation”, Beijing said on Sunday in a Sino-Pakistan joint statement that once again underscored the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The joint statement, released during the ongoing visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, did not specifically mention the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir, but spoke about “outstanding disputes” between the two countries and the importance of a stable South Asia.
It also touched upon China’s backing for Pakistan to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a group of countries that control trade in nuclear technology. Beijing has repeatedly prevented India from joining NSG.
Khan and President Xi Jinping agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under which are ongoing inside Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). New Delhi opposes the projects on the grounds that it violates India’s territorial sovereignty. India has never endorsed the Xi Jinping-led Belt and Road Initiative — the multi-billion dol- lar connectivity project — under which CPEC is a flagship venture.
Beijing has maintained the CPEC projects are economic ventures and not targeted against “any third country”.
“Both sides (China and Pakistan) believe that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia is in the common interest of all parties. Both sides emphasised the importance of pursuit of dialogue and resolution of all outstanding disputes to promote regional cooperation and advance the goals of lasting peace, stability and shared prosperity,” the statement said.
“China appreciates Pakistan’s quest for peace through dialogue, cooperation, and negotiation, on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and supports Pakistan’s efforts for improvement of Pakistan-India relations and for settlement of outstanding disputes between the two countries,” it added. Diplomats and leaders of both countries have previously described them as “iron brothers”.
Praising Pakistan’s “anti-nuclear proliferation record”, Beijing said it supports Islamabad’s engagement with the NSG.