The joint statement by China and the Pakistani government is against ‘unilateral actions’ on the Kashmir issue
China has emerged as a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan over the past two decades. It includes advanced fighter aircraft, naval ships and submarines.
China and Pakistan on Saturday opposed any “unilateral action” for resolution of all outstanding issues in South Asia, as visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed Chinese leaders on the situation in Kashmir and discussed the close ties maintained by their militaries.
Sharif concluded his four-day visit, the first after his second stint began in March, with a focus on supporting Chinese investment and aid as his country faces an acute economic crisis.
A joint statement at the end of his trip said: Both sides underline the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for a resolution of all outstanding disputes and their opposition to any unilateral action.
The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side about the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a relic of history and should be resolved properly and peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
India has previously rejected such joint statements by China and Pakistan.
The State Department has said that “all parties involved are well aware of our clear position on these matters.”
“The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and always will remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has a locus standi to comment on this,” the MEA had said earlier.
Pakistan has downgraded its ties with India in protest against the abrogation of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019. India has always maintained that it desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free from terror and hostility for such engagement.
During his four-day visit, which coincided with the announcement of the results of India’s general elections and the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside Prime Minister Li Qiang and other officials.
Modi would be sworn in for the third consecutive term in New Delhi on Sunday in the presence of all of India’s South Asian neighbors, except Pakistan, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries such as the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius , at a time when China is looking to expand its footprint in India’s neighboring countries.
In addition to Kashmir, political and strategic developments regarding India played a role in Sharif’s talks with Chinese leaders as the two all-weather allies closely coordinated their policies.
The joint statement also spoke of the close ties maintained by their two militaries: the two sides expressed satisfaction that the armed forces of the two countries maintained a high level of strategic mutual trust, developed close coordination and cooperation in the promoted in the long term. .
The two sides underlined that stronger strategic defense and security cooperation between Pakistan and China plays an irreplaceable and crucial role in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring strategic balance in the region, the statement said. -to military visits and exchanges and promotion of cooperation in the field of joint training and exercises and military technology.
China has emerged as a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan over the past two decades. It includes advanced fighter aircraft, naval ships and submarines.
Earlier, the two sides signed 23 agreements and MOUs covering cooperation in the US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agriculture, infrastructure, industrial cooperation, intergovernmental development assistance, market regulation, research and mapping , media, film, the joint statement said.
The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghanistan issue.
Pakistan, which harbored the Afghan Taliban for decades, now accuses the Taliban government in Kabul of instigating terrorism in its territory and blames militant groups in Afghanistan for the return of terror. This included the recent attacks on dozens of Chinese personnel in Pakistan.
Both sides encourage the interim government of Afghanistan to build an inclusive political framework, pursue moderate policies, pursue good neighborly relations and vigorously combat terrorism, including not allowing the territory to be used for terrorist acts, the joint statement said.
During his meeting with Sharif on Friday, Xi spoke of solid public support with a strong internal driving force and broad development prospects for the China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership in any weather.
China stands ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other, strengthen cooperation, deepen strategic coordination, accelerate the building of an even closer Sino-Pakistani community with a shared future in the new era, and make greater contributions contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi told Sharif.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: June 8, 2024 | 11:30 PM IST