Pakistan Toes China's Line In Earthquake Condolence Message, Calls Tibet 'Xizang'... Again

Pakistan has again voiced its support for China's claim over Tibet as "Xizang". In a condolence for the earthquake in Tibet on Tuesday, Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar referred to Tibet as 'Xizang'.

Pakistan has again backed its "all-weather friend" China in asserting Tibet as its territory. In a condolence message for the lives lost in Tibet in the devastating earthquake on Tuesday, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar on Wednesday referred to the nation as "Xizang" — a term used by China for Tibet.

"We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Xizang yesterday [January 7].  Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. May they find strength and comfort during this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with the people of China and offer our sincerest condolences," Dar said in a post on X.

Pakistan has always recognised Tibet as Xizang. Last year, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi issued a statement, saying: "China appreciates Pakistan's unswerving commitment to the one-China principle and firm support for China on the Taiwan question and issues relating to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong." The statement was backed by Dar back then as well.

In 2023, Pakistani diplomat Khalil Hashmi, who was on a visit to Tibet, was quoted as saying by Chinese news agency Xinhua: "Xizang alone is a 1.2 million square kilometre space; it takes a huge political, economic and financial commitment to connect this vast region for its inhabitants, to put in place the infrastructure, including roads, bridges, trains, electricity, running water, schools, hospitals, and so on."

India's Stand On Tibet

Notably, India, too recognises Tibet as a part of China. Since 1954, India has considered the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as a part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China.

However, India doesn't refer to Tibet as 'Xizang'. In a 2024 RTI reply, India referred to Tibet as the "Tibet Region of China" based on "mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence".

In 2003, former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, during his visit to China, signed a joint declaration recognising the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of China's territory.