China In Contact With India, Pakistan Over Masood Azhar Issue

China will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to resolve differences through dialogue

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th March, 2019) China has said that it is in contact with Pakistan and India over various matters, including Masood Azhar issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang while addressing a press conference said that Chinese position side on Masood Azhar issue is already clear. China will continue to resolve the matter in a responsible and constructive way.

He said that China will keep close contact with India and Pakistan over Masood Azhar issue.

China will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to move in the same direction, resolve differences through dialogue, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, he said.

The spokesperson said that China welcomes the latest interaction between India and Pakistan on Kartarpur Corridor. He hoped that the relevant progress will help ease Pak-India tensions.

The first foreign minister level China-Pakistan strategic dialogue is being held in Beijing today.

Recent Pak-India tensions will come into discussion during the meeting.

China earlier assured India of resolving Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar’s issue at the United Nations.

Speaking to Indian news agency on Sunday, Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui said that the matter of the UN listing Masood Azhar as a terrorist will be resolved.

“This is only a technical hold, which means there is time for continued consultations. It will be resolved, believe me,” he said.

Beijing had earlier blocked a proposal against Masood Azhar in the United Nation Security Council.

France, United Kingdom and the US had proposed the move in the UNSC for declaring Jaishe Muhammad chief a global terrorist but China had put on hold the request by three powerful countries by using its veto power.

Beijing had asked for adopting a reasonable approach on the matter and emphasized upon the solution of Kashmir dispute.

Indian foreign ministry in a statement said that it “was disappointed by the outcome”, adding that it would continue to pursue all avenues to make sure “terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice”.

The issue caused a rift between India and China.