China for ‘lasting’ Indo-Pak truce, calls Islamabad ‘iron-clad’ friend

China on Tuesday called for a “comprehensive and lasting ceasefire” between India and Pakistan, urging both countries to properly handle their differences through dialogue.

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At the same time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed China’s support to “iron-clad friend” Pakistan in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wang’s comments came during his meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who is here on a three-day visit.

Dar is the first high-level Pakistani official to visit China after India carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“China welcomes and supports Pakistan and India to properly handle their differences through dialogue, achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and seek fundamental solutions,” Wang told Dar here.

This is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both India and Pakistan and conducive to regional peace and stability, and also the common expectation of the international community, he told Dar.

“As an iron-clad friend, China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, resolutely combating terrorism, and in playing a greater role in international affairs,” Wang added.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening regional cooperation and deepening coordination in multilateral mechanisms. Besides Wang, Dar also met Liu Jianchao, the influential Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China.