KEY POINTS
- China urges both sides to resolve differences through dialogue
- China endorses Pakistan’s demand for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam incident
- Chinese Foreign Minister reaffirmed China’s support for Pakistan
- Earlier, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelled visas for Pakistanis
- Pakistan retaliated by expelling Indian diplomats, cancelling visas for Indian citizens (except Sikh pilgrims)
- Pakistan warned that the diversion of Indus waters would be deemed an “act of war”
BEIJING: China on Monday urged Pakistan and India to exercise restraint after tensions escalated between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours in the wake of the shooting incident in the Pahalgam area of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said.
At least 26 people were killed and 17 others were injured after gunmen opened fire on visitors in the Pahalgam area of Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday.
India, without providing any evidence, blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Pakistan has strongly denied any involvement in the incident.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, during his regular briefing, said China has welcomed all measures that help to cool down the current situation and supports fair and just investigations into the Pahalgam incident.
While responding to a question, the spokesperson said, “I want to reiterate that India and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. Peaceful coexistence between the two countries is important to the peace and the development of the region.”
#FMsays China welcomes all measures that help ease the latest tensions between #Pakistan and #India, and supports a just investigation into the recent deadly attack in Indian-controlled #Kashmir as soon as possible, FM spokesman Guo Jiakun said, after Pakistan’s Defense Minister… pic.twitter.com/ILscOgKEvv
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) April 28, 2025
It is pertinent to mention that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday reaffirmed China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, stressing that Beijing fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and backs its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.
The support came during a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
ALSO READ: China Reaffirms Support for Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts
On Wednesday, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic relations, and cancelled visas issued to Pakistani nationals.
In response, Pakistan on Thursday expelled Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelled visas for Indian citizens—except for Sikh pilgrims—and closed its side of the main land border crossing.
Islamabad also warned that any attempt by India to stop or divert the Indus River waters would be considered an “act of war”.
