China extends ‘ironclad’ support to Pak amid tensions with India over Pahalgam attack
Beijing calls for fair probe into terror attack, urges both India and Pakistan to remain restrained, and work together to de-escalate the situation
China, while condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and calling for "swift and fair investigation" into it, has expressed support for its all-weather ally Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests amid Islamabad's rising tensions with India.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday (April 27) held a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Also read: Pahalgam attack: Navy demonstrates readiness for long-range 'offensive' strikes
‘Ironclad friend’
Dar briefed Wang -- also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee -- on the latest tensions between Pakistan and India "following a terrorist attack in the Kashmir region", the report said.
For his part, Wang said China was closely following the developments, stressing that combating terrorism was a shared responsibility of the entire world while reaffirming Beijing's consistent support for Pakistan's firm counterterrorism efforts, it added.
"As an ironclad friend and an all-weather strategic cooperative partner, China fully understands Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests," the report quoted Wang as saying.
China wants ‘fair probe’
According to the report, Wang said that the conflict does not serve either India or Pakistan and pitched for a fair and swift probe into the terror attack.
"China advocates for a swift and fair investigation and believes that conflict does not serve the fundamental interests of either India or Pakistan, nor does it benefit regional peace and stability," Wang noted.
Also read: 'You don't ask a murderer...': Tharoor on Pak's offer for 'neutral probe' into Pahalgam
China hopes both sides will remain restrained, move toward each other, and work together to de-escalate the situation, he added.
What Pakistan said
Dar emphasised that Pakistan had consistently and firmly fought terrorism and was against any actions that could lead to an escalation of the situation, according to the report.
Pakistan is committed to managing the situation in a mature manner and will maintain communication with China and the international community, Dar said, the news agency reported.
China’s condemnation
On April 23, China "strongly condemned" the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
"We strongly condemn the attack. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun had told a media briefing.
Also read: TRF statement on Pahalgam attack uploaded from Pakistan: Sources "We mourn for the lives lost and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured," he had said.
Separately, China's Ambassador to India Xu Feihong had also condemned the attack.
"Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn (it)," he had said in a post on X.
"Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms," he had said.
(With inputs from agencies)
