Shillong, May 7: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang travelled to Pakistan for a two-day visit after attending the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) conference in Goa the day before.
However, he simply joined Islamabad in its efforts to “resolve” the Kashmir issue. Reiterating their position that the Kashmir issue should be properly and peacefully handled in accordance with “the UN charter, Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements,” China and Pakistan reopened the long-running conflict in a joint statement.
This follows criticism of Pakistan from India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who demanded an explanation from the neighbouring nation over when it will “vacate the illegally occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir.” India has always been clear that discussions and terrorism cannot coexist.
China stated on Saturday that the India-Pakistani conflict over Kashmir was a holdover from the past and should be settled in accordance with UN resolutions without resorting to unilateral action. At the completion of the fourth round of the “Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue” in Islamabad, the two parties released a joint statement.
On Saturday, Qin Gang, who is in Pakistan for a two-day visit, presided over a meeting with Bilwal Bhutto Zardari. He is visiting the nation for the first time.
The Chinese side reaffirmed the need for a proper and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements. The Kashmir conflict is a legacy of past tensions between India and Pakistan.
