China proposes to play, ‘constructive role’ in easing tension between India and Pakistan

After a change at the helm of affairs in Pakistan, China on Wednesday said that it was eager to play a ‘constructive role’ to reduce the tension between its neighbouring countries India and Pakistan.

In his regular media briefing, Lu Kang, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, as quoted by The Hindu said, “We welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving their bilateral relations.”

By, ‘positive remarks’ Lu was alluding to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter to his newly elected Pakistani counterpart where he sought, ‘meaningful and constructive engagement’.

Pakistani President Imran Khan, in reply, proposed, “To move forward, Pakistan and India must have exchange of dialogues and resolve their conflicts, including Kashmir.”

Lu highlighted China’s concern about the security in the region in its approach to solving disputes between India and Pakistan.

Lu said, “Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. The improvement and development of their relations are quite important to the regional peace and stability and prosperity,” hoping that both India and Pakistan, “can jointly stay committed to the regional peace and development.”

But there still remains an uncertainty over the exact role that Beijing would play. Lu, while responding to supplementary questions declined the fact that China’s proposal for easing the tensions between these nations isn’t an offer for ‘mediation.’

“I just now said we are glad to see the positive remarks by India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all the efforts that are conducive to the improvement of their relations and peace and stability in the region. We welcome that and we will [play a] constructive role in this aspect,” added Lu.

He also didn’t comment too much on the exact nature of China’s role saying that he couldn’t give any, ‘pre-judgement’ on this topic.

In the past, China has advocated the fact that bilateral talks between India and Pakistan would solve the Kashmir dispute.

“As a common neighbour of Pakistan and India, China firmly supports two sides to enhance dialogue and increase mutual trust and properly handle and solve their differences.”

Since the June summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) where India and Pakistan were inducted as full members, China has been rooting for the resolution of all disputes between the Delhi and Islamabad.

Foreign minister and state councillor Wang Yi, in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), said that the SCO would be, ‘a better platform’ to solve all disputes between India and Pakistan, also saying that both these countries should not, ‘see each other as opponents and much less enemies’.

Wang, as quoted by The Hindu said, “We know that there are unresolved historical conflicts existing between Pakistan and India. But I think after their joining the SCO, maybe we can provide a better platform and opportunities for the building of relations between them.”

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