The Pakistani prime minister on Tuesday thanked longtime ally China for its“consistent” and “principled” stand on the longstanding Kashmir dispute,officials said.
During a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe in thecapital Islamabad, Imran Khan “deeply appreciated” China’s support on Jammuand Kashmir following India’s decision to strip the valley of itssemi-autonomous status last August. It was also split into two federallyadministered territories.
The region is partly held by India and Pakistan but claimed by both infull.
As a months-long Sino-India standoff on the rugged Himalayan bordercontinues, Beijing has time and again criticized New Delhi’s unilateralmove in Kashmir.
Last month, its Foreign Ministry spokesman Lijian Zhou reiterated that thedispute should be resolved “properly and peacefully in accordance with theUN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.”
Gen. Wei is on a three-day visit to Pakistan along with a delegation,according to a statement by the prime minister’s office.
Khan said Indian actions posed a serious threat to Indian minorities,freedom of innocent Kashmiris, and regional peace and stability.
He acknowledged China’s “success” in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,and for “extending solidarity and material support” to Pakistan in managingthe outbreak.
The novel virus originated in Wuhan, China last December. A series ofstrict restrictions, including lockdowns, however, helped the countrycontain its spread.
The infection, meanwhile, continues to wreak havoc in the US, Europe andbeyond. Besides the economic fallout, it has claimed over 1.47 millionlives in 191 countries and regions worldwide.
China has provided Pakistan with PPE, while talks are also underway toprocure Chinese COVID-19 vaccines once approved.
Views were also exchanged on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, aflagship project of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Fenghe conveyed his leadership’s commitment to further strengthen bilateralties in a range of areas.
Underlining that South Asia and the Arabian Sea region needed peace,stability and economic development, he appreciated Pakistan’s efforts inadvancing those goals.
Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi at a ceremony at the President Houseconferred on the minister Nishan-e-Imtiaz, a top state honor, inrecognition of his “services for further promoting and strengtheningdefense cooperation” between the two countries.