Will support Pakistan's territorial integrity at all cost: China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, while speaking in Beijing upon the China-Pakistan strategic level talk said, “No matter how things change in the world and in the region, China will firmly support Pakistan in upholding its sovereign independence and territorial integrity and dignity.”
Pakistan, being represented by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, acknowledged the support and commitment of China and regarded the latter with thanks.
This has come a month after India suffered a deadly Pulwama attack in Kashmir, wherein 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred and the attack was carried out by the Pakistan based terror group ‘Jaish-e-Mohammad.’ After garnering international support of 13 countries, including the US, the UK, and France to ban Masood Azhar led Jaish-e-Mohammad in the United Nations, it was China which again blocked it on the technical grounds.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Qureshi stated that the two neighbour countries discussed the situation post Pulwama blast. He said, “I also briefed the Foreign Minister (Wang) on the rapidly deteriorating situation on the Indian side of Kashmir, intensification of human rights violations, especially after Pulwama,” adding that “Pakistan appreciates the role that China has played, once again, in standing by Pakistan in these difficult times.”
While bringing in the Kashmir issue, Qureshi further said, “This is a concern because that leads to a reaction, and that reaction at times creates tensions in the region that must be avoided. I think there is a need for a new assessment on how the situation on the Indian side of Kashmir should be handled by the Indians.”
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First published: 20 March 2019, 7:59 IST