China wants to defrost frigid India, Pakistan ties

A senior official of China's foreign ministry has expressed hope that tensions between Pakistan and India will be resolved after the upcoming BRICS Summit.

China's President Xi Jinping is scheduled to travel Goa to attend the 8th summit of BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - which will be held on October 15 and 16. The Chinese leader would also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Express Tribune quoted Xiao Qian of the Department of Asian Affairs speaking to a group of senior Pakistani journalists in Beijing on Tuesday saying as, "China is concerned at rising tensions between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue. China will try to normalise strained relations between Pakistan and India."

"The two countries should resolve the festering dispute through dialogue. China appreciates Pakistan's commitment to dialogue with India," he added.

Tensions have been in hot waters between the two neighbouring countries since September 18 deadly attack on an Indian Army base in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan alleged involvent in it.

In response to it, India carried out surgical strikes in the Pakistani occupied Kashmir , a claim which Islamabad strongly denied.

Xiao said, "Pakistan and India should shun the talk of war." He however assured that China would stand by Pakistan in every situation.

Speaking about the Afghan peace process, the Chinese official said that Beijing had tried to facilitate talks between the Taliban and the Kabul administration - but the process was suspended after the killing of Taliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansoor.

India had some objections to the multibillion-dollar project because it would pass through Gilgit-Baltistan region, but Beijing was committed to completing the massive road and rail link irrespective, said Xiao in reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He added that our message to India is that CPEC will improve the Kashmir region as well as people's [lifestyle] there.

In response to balance of trade favoring Beijing, he said that China was investing in Pakistan so that they could also reap economic benefits. Xiao stated that the purpose of CPEC was to increase foreign investments in Pakistan

"An economically strong Pakistan will ensure balance of power in the region," he added.