BEIJING – Expressing hope for better bilateral ties between Pakistan andIndia, China has said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)provides a framework for the two South Asian countries to strengthencooperation

In a written response to *The Hindustan Timeslink>*,the Chinese foreign ministry hoped that the two countries will worktogether for regional peace and would find a solution to the Kashmir issuethrough bilateral dialogue, indicating that discussions on it have no placein a multilateral forum like the SCO.

After being included in the now-eight-member grouping last year, Pakistanand India are set to attend the SCO summit, scheduled to be held in Qingdaoin eastern China on June 9 -10, for the first time.

Despite India’s opposition to its Belt and Road Initiative, China indicatedthat the SCO summit will not face any major hurdle, as the majorinfrastructure project matched the “strategies of various countries andregional cooperation initiatives”.

Ahead of the summit, experts voiced concerns that Pakistan and India couldcarry their baggage of hostility to the grouping. Pakistan could raise theKashmir issue and in turn India could raise cross-border terrorism,disturbing unity of the grouping carefully nurtured by China and Russia.

However, the Chinese foreign ministry toned down the differences. “China’sposition on the Kashmir issue is consistent. This issue is a legacy onebetween Pakistan and India,” it remarked on the Kashmir issue.

“Both Pakistan and India have formally joined the SCO and hope that the twocountries will strengthen cooperation within the framework of SCO andjointly safeguard regional peace and stability,” it said.

On terrorism, the ministry reiterated China’s stance., saying: “Chinaresolutely opposes terrorism in any forms and supports the internationalcommunity in strengthening international counter-terrorism cooperation,forming a joint force, and working together to ensure security andstability regionally and globally.

“We believe that all member states will continue to promote the ‘ShanghaiSpirit’, deepening solidarity and mutual trust, enhancing cooperation to anew level.”

The Chinese foreign ministry further said the inclusion of India andPakistan in the SCO has expanded the bloc’s influence.

“After the joining of India and Pakistan as member countries, the SCO hasbecome a very comprehensive regional cooperation organisation with the mostextensive area, the largest population and greatest influence.”

It went on to say that the two countries have fully integrated into variouscooperation mechanisms and have made great contributions to “deepeningcooperation among member states in security, economy, humanities and otherfields. All parties highly valued this.”

*This article originally appeared on**The Hindustan Times*link>*.*