China Urges India and Pakistan to Maintain Peace Amid Rising Tensions
China's Call for Restraint
Beijing: On Wednesday, China urged both India and Pakistan to exercise utmost restraint to ensure peace and stability in the region.
This appeal from China's Foreign Ministry followed India's missile strikes targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a response to the recent Pahalgam terror incident.
The statement expressed concern over the escalating situation, emphasizing that India and Pakistan are neighboring countries, as are they to China.
China reiterated its opposition to all forms of terrorism, implicitly referencing the Pahalgam attack.
The statement further urged both nations to prioritize peace and stability, remain calm, and avoid actions that could exacerbate tensions.
China expressed regret over India's military actions earlier that morning.
In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, China, a steadfast ally of Pakistan, condemned the incident while calling for restraint and a thorough investigation.
Diplomatic engagements between China and Pakistan have intensified in recent days.
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar communicated with China's top diplomat Wang Yi on April 27, while Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
During discussions with Dar, Wang emphasized that China is closely monitoring the developments and highlighted that combating terrorism is a global responsibility. He advocated for a prompt and impartial investigation, noting that ongoing conflict does not benefit either nation or regional stability.
Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and its sovereignty.
This escalation follows the Pahalgam attack as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a four-day visit to Russia, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II.
Xi is also set to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he shares a strong personal rapport.