China on Monday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan exchanging greetings amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Beijing also said that it wanted peace between the SouthAsian nations and was willing to play a “constructive” role to helpthem resolve their issues.
Last week, Modi extended greetings to Khan on the eve ofPakistan’s National Day, saying it was time for the people of the sub-continentto work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous region,in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.
Khan responded on Twitter, telling Modi that it was time”to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address and resolve allissues, especially the central issue of Kashmir, and forge a new relationshipbased on peace and prosperity for all our people”.
The Indian government had described the message by Modi as acustomary one.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said onMonday: “We noted relevant reports and we welcome the goodwill sent out toeach other by both Indian and Pakistani leaders. We support the two sides inmaintaining engagement and improve their relations, stabilise the situationsand resolve their differences.
“China will continue to play a constructive role tothis end.”
India and Pakistan almost went to war after the February 14attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF troopers.
After the attack, the Indian Air Force and Pakistan AirForce carried out tit-for-tat strikes, leading to a dog fight between theirplanes. An Indian Mig-21 was downed during the dogfight and its pilot capturedby Pakistan. He was subsequently released.
Asked what he meant by the word “constructive”,and whether there was a shift in China’s position on the India-Pakistan issueas earlier this month Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing waswilling to mediate between them, Geng did not elaborate.
“China’s position on the issue of India-Pakistanrelations is consistent. These two nations are important South Asian countries,and we hope they will resolve issues through dialogue and consultation. Chinahopes to stay in friendly relations with both of them and we will continue toplay a constructive role in promoting the peace talks between these twocountries,” Geng added.
China publicly maintains a “neutral” stance on theJammu and Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, but its diplomats and statemedia have often suggested Beijing’s mediation.
India opposes any third party intervention in the issue.