Beijing: In what is being seen as a snub to visiting Pakistan PM Imran Khan, China modified its position on the Kashmir dispute by omitting its recent references to the UN charter and Security Council resolutions to the vexed issue and stressing that New Delhi and Islamabad should take the bilateral route to resolve all disputes.
“We call on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues, including the Kashmir issue, and consolidate mutual trust. This is in line with interest of both countries and common aspiration of the world,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said. The statement is a departure from the position that Beijing took when Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had visited China post-nullification of Articles 370 and 35A.
The statement came during Imran’s visit to China and just ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s India tour. Qureshi’s Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had then said: “It (Kashmir issue) should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement.” In fact, China had maintained that position at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Kashmir, which ended without any outcome. China had supported Pakistan also in the United Nations.
However, later, China indicated that it was ready to go back to its pre-August 5 position when it had held that the J&K issue should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan. The omission of references to the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions particularly assume significance at a time when Imran, along with Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, is in Beijing to meet Xi and other Chinese leaders. By changing its position, China seems to be in agreement with the Indian stand that there should be no third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue. The foreign ministry spokesman denied there has been any shift. “China’s position on Kashmir issue is clear and consistent,” Geng emphasized. However, observers termed his comments as marking a significant change and said that it might have been prompted by the desire to create a conducive atmosphere for Xi’s proposed visit to India.
Also, by changing its position, China is trying to nudge Pakistan to lower tensions with India by softening rhetoric on the Kashmir issue. Beijing’s show of neutrality comes in the midst of Pakistan asking China to take a tough stand against India on the Kashmir issue.
