New Delhi: China pledged closer collaboration with Pakistan under the USD 60 billion CPEC investment programme on Sunday, calling for a proper and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute and opposing any "unilateral actions" that could exacerbate the situation as Prime Minister Imran Khan met with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping.
On the final day of his four-day visit to China, Khan met with President Xi to address a variety of topics, including the sluggish pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Beijing's growing worry over frequent attacks on Chinese staff working on its numerous projects in Pakistan, PTI reported.
During his discussion with Khan, Xi stated that China is strongly committed to Pakistan's national independence, sovereignty, dignity, and battle against terrorism, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
A joint statement was issued at the end of Imran Khan's visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
"The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation," the joint statement read, as quoted by PTI.
India's Stance On China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Previously, India has forcefully rejected allusions to Jammu and Kashmir in a prior joint statement issued by Pakistan and China, stating that the union territory, as well as Ladakh, has been and would continue to be an essential and inalienable part of India.
In July 2021, Arindam Bagchi, spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry, protested to a mention of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, claiming that it is in Indian territory unjustly held by Pakistan.
"As in the past, India categorically rejects any reference to Jammu and Kashmir. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory of Ladakh has been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India," Bagchi had said.
According to the spokesman, India has continuously communicated to both China and Pakistan that the so-called CPEC is located on Indian territory.
"We resolutely oppose any attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan as also to Pakistan bringing up any material change in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call upon parties concerned to cease such actions," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)