A top Chinese diplomat has called upon India and Pakistan to “work like brothers and solve the Kashmir dispute bilaterally.” Sun Yuxi, a Chinese diplomat who has served both in India and Afghanistan refused to comment on the recent terror strike in Uri and Pakistan’s interference in Kashmir saying it’s a problem that has to be solved bilaterally between the two countries and China wanted to promote good relations between the two.
Speaking to CNN-News18 Sun said, “Pakistan is fighting very hard and they have made many sacrifices in tackling terror and both Afghanistan and Pakistan are helping China fight the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).” The diplomat’s statement explains the strategic importance Pakistan holds for China.
When asked why China didn’t allow the BRICS declaration to include Pakistan-based terror groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the diplomat said “I don’t know about that but, I have many friends in Pakistan, they are all resolutely fighting against terror.
Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani army and the local police have been fighting terror for many years and made many sacrifices.” He also said the international community acknowledges Pakistan’s efforts to fight terror.
The Chinese diplomat also refused to comment on the surgical strikes carried out by India on terror camps across the LoC. However, the diplomat said, “Kashmir was a deep rooted problem over which India and Pakistan had fought three wars. He made it clear that China would not come to India’s rescue as this was an issue that had to be solved bilaterally.”
What came as a setback for the Indian government was that a day after Prime Minister Modi tried to isolate Pakistan at the BRICS and BIMSTEC Summits, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said it’s wrong to link any country or religion to terror.
Strongly defending Pakistan the spokesperson said, “Both India and Pakistan are victims of terror. Pakistan has made a lot of sacrifices to fight terror.” This shows that despite India’s repeated appeals China has chosen to side with its all-weather ally Pakistan.