Dialogue only way forward to resolve J&K issue, says China snubbing Pakistan
Beijing: Taking a softer stance against India over the issue of scrapping Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, China on Tuesday said dialogue is the only way forward for New Delhi and Islamabad to solve the Kashmir issue.
"China's position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent and clear. We call on India and Pakistan to step up dialogue on disputes including the Kashmir issue to enhance mutual trust and improve relations," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said during a press conference.
"It serves the common interests of both India and Pakistan and represents the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community," he said.
The timing of the statement is crucial as Pakistan PM Imran Khan is currently visiting China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India soon.
He is going to attend an informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking on India, China relationship, Shuang said: "As to high-level exchange between China and India, I would like to say that China and India are each other's important neighbor and both are major developing countries and emerging markets. Since last year's Wuhan summit between our leaders, China-India relations have been developing with a sound momentum. The two sides have been advancing cooperation in various sectors steadily and managing differences and sensitive issues properly."
"There is a tradition of high-level exchange between leaders of China and India. We are in communication regarding bilateral high-level exchange going forward. The two sides should work to create a favorable atmosphere and environment for it. We will release information in a timely manner," he said.
India scrapped Article 370 on Aug 5 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Narendra Modi-led Indian government's move had irked Pakistan.
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