China ready to woo India for talks with Pakistan

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Chinese official reiterates China’s support for improvement of India-Pakistan ties

Says Chinese leadership is eager to sign ‘important agreements of cooperation’ during PM Sharif’s upcoming visit to China; Chinese president to visit Pakistan

Seeks Pakistan’s support against terrorism and promotion of peace in Afghanistan 

China is ready to “engage” with India to help resolve issues between Pakistan and India through dialogue, said Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Jinchao while talking Monday to a parliamentary delegation from Pakistan.

“We strongly support improvement in relations between Pakistan and India. We appreciate Pakistan’s efforts for normalisation. We hope both sides put aside their differences and come to the negotiating table to resolve their outstanding issues,” said Jianchao.

The minister said that the Chinese leadership was eager to receive Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his upcoming visit to China during which “important agreements of cooperation” between China and Pakistan would be signed.

“These agreements and projects would further expand and deepen relations between the two countries. Pakistan is a trust-worthy friend and therefore China always gives Pakistan top priority in its foreign policy. We will remain committed to and maintain strategic partnership with Pakistan,” he said.

Jianchao expressed confidence that Sino-Pakistan friendship would be passed on to the next generations as this friendship had become a “gene”.

Welcoming the diplomatic support from China to normalise Pakistan’s ties with India, leader of the Pakistani delegation Rana Mohammad Afzal said that Pakistan is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with India through dialogue.

“Pakistan wants to carry forward the dialogue process with India but some elements in the Indian government are opposed to the normalisation of Pakistan-India relations,” Afzal maintained.

He added that Pakistan was determined to root out terrorism form its soil and would foil all attempts by anti-state elements who wanted to halt the development process in the country.

He said that all political forces in Pakistan are united in promoting Pak-China friendship.

“China has always extended material and political support to Pakistan. The Pakistani government looks forward to the visit of the Chinese President Jinping to Islamabad,” said Afzal.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars over the disputed Kashmir valley while the two countries are engaged in disputes over water resources and trade expansion as well as border conflicts. China’s influence to help negotiate between India and Pakistan may be a game-changer in bringing peace and stability to the South Asian region.

India has time and again refused to accept a ‘third-party’ mediation on Kashmir while Pakistan, after failing to make any breakthrough in dialogue, now looks towards China to influence India to come to the table.

India, soon after the election of Narendra Modi as its new premier, had announced to start secretary-level talks but had cancelled the dialogue a few weeks later.

CHINESE PRESIDENT’S VISIT:

Briefing the delegation about the reasons which led to the delay in the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan, Jianchao said that China had taken “note” of some “destabilisation factors” in Pakistan but hoped that the political parties would overcome their differences.

“The President’s visit was delayed to enable Pakistan to concentrate on domestic affairs. We are hopeful that the visit (of the Chinese president) would materialise on new, agreed dates,” he said.

UNITED AGAINST TERRORISM:

Strongly denouncing the suicide attack near Wagah-Attari border on Sunday and the subsequent loss of lives, Jianchao expressed hope that Pakistan would soon overcome the menace of terrorism. He said that both China and Pakistan are facing the threat of terrorism and China had received great support from Pakistan in eliminating the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).

“We are grateful to Pakistan for its support against the ETIM. China will also support Pakistan’s efforts to root out terrorism,” he said.

AFGHANISTAN:

Jinachao underlined the importance of Afghanistan – a mutual neighbour of China and Pakistan and said that the Chinese government was closely monitoring developments in Aghanistan following the elections in the country.

“We welcome the formation of a national unity government in Afghanistan. During the recent visit of newly-elected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to China, the leadership of both the countries exchanged views to bring peace and normalcy in Afghanistan,” said Jianchao, adding that China supports peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan has a special influence in Afghanistan and therefore we look forward to a positive role of Pakistan for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of all countries and we will strengthen cooperation with Pakistan to push for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.

PAK-CHINA ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

Commenting over the Pakistan-China economic corridor, the Chinese assist foreign minister said that the corridor would greatly help boost regional development. He said that the corridor was aimed at better connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Greater connectivity is significant to boost better relations. China seeks to build relations with all South Asian countries. We aim at promoting development in culture, education, media and other sectors with South Asian countries. We hope that Pakistan will support this process,” said Jianchao.

Jianchao also lauded the Pakistani parliament for promoting Pakistan-China relations.