China condemns Pahalgam attack, reasserts support for Pakistan in the same breath
In call to NSA Doval, Chinese Foreign Minister hopes for lasting ceasefire between India and Pak; assures Pak counterpart of China’s ironclad support
China has condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, while expressing hope that India and Pakistan would remain calm and restrained, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating the situation. The country, on the other hand, has also expressed its ironclad support for strategic partner Pakistan in the latter’s conflict with India.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is reported to have stated his country’s stance on the matter in separate calls to India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Also read: ‘Firmly stand with Pakistan', says China as Islamabad breaks ceasefire with India
Wang dials up Doval
According to state-run Xinhua news agency, Wang in his call with NSA Doval expressed hope that New Delhi and Islamabad would address their differences through dialogue and achieve a lasting ceasefire.
During their conversation, Doval told Wang that war was not India's choice but India needed to take counter-terrorism action after the Pahalgam attack, Xinhua reported as said by AP.
Wang also condemned the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which had cross-border linkages and triggered the worst fighting between India and Pakistan in years.
Pakistan breaks ceasefire
Hostilities soared between India and Pakistan after the Indian military hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Although the two nuclear-armed neighbours on May 10 reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, Pakistan broke the ceasefire hours later.
Also read: J-K official, 2 security officers among 7 killed in Pak shelling in Jammu before 'ceasefire'
In a media briefing close to midnight, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called upon Pakistan to take "appropriate steps" to address these violations and deal with the situation with "seriousness and responsibility".
Wang calls for dialogue, consultations
In his talks with Doval, Wang expressed hope that India and Pakistan would remain calm and restrained, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating the situation, according to Xinhua's reports.
Wang said China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and meets the common aspiration of the international community.
He said China condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and opposes all forms of terrorism.
Noting that the world is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, Wang said peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished. India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away and they are both neighbours of China, he said.
War is not India’s choice: Doval
Doval told Wang that the Pahalgam attack resulted in serious casualties for the Indian side and that India needed to take counter-terrorism actions.
War is not the choice of the Indian side and is not in the interest of either side, Doval underlined, adding that both India and Pakistan will be committed to the ceasefire and look forward to restoring regional peace and stability as soon as possible, the reports said.
Also read: Cong seeks PM-chaired all-party meet on India-Pak ceasefire, questions US 'role'
In his conversation with Dar, the reports stated, Wang said that as a neighbour of both Pakistan and India, China is concerned about the conflict between the two.
He said China believes that Pakistan will make decisions in line with its fundamental and long-term interests.
Dar told Wang that Pakistan is willing to achieve a ceasefire with India but will respond to any acts that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Noting that Pakistan stands on the frontline of the international fight against terrorism, Wang said China supports its continued firm counterterrorism efforts, the Xinhua reports said.
China asserts resolve to stand by Pak
In a separate call to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Wang asserted that Beijing will continue to stand firmly by Islamabad in upholding its “sovereignty, territorial integrity.”
According to PTI, the comments were made by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as per a statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign office on Saturday.
Watch: India, Pakistan reach ceasefire; what happens on May 12?
During the conversation, Dar briefed Wang on the evolving regional situation.
‘All-weather strategic partners’
Wang acknowledged Pakistan’s “restraint and appreciated its responsible approach under challenging circumstances”.
“He reaffirmed that China, as Pakistan’s All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner and iron-clad friend, will continue to stand firmly by Pakistan in upholding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence,” the foreign office said.
(With inputs from agencies)