China backs Pakistan’s ‘independent probe’ demand on Pahalgam terror attack

Following Pakistan’s call to western nations, Russia and China to conduct an independent investigation over allegations by India about its involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi has extended Beijing’s support to Islamabad’s demand.

In a phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on Sunday, Yi supported the prompt initiation of an impartial investigation into the terrorist attacks on Indian soil and hoped that both India and Pakistan “would exercise restraint, move towards each other, and work to de-escalate tensions”, as reported.

This phone call was taken by Wang Yi on request where he was briefed by Dar on the latest developments following the terrorist attack and stated that Pakistan opposed actions that escalate tensions and has been resolute in combating terrorism.

Dar added Pakistan’s commitment to managing the situation maturely and that it will maintain communication with China and the international community.

According to The Global Times, Wang Yi stated that China was “closely following” the developments and consistently “supports Pakistan’s firm counter-terror actions”. Yi emphasised combating terrorism being a shared responsibility of all nations.

Wang Yi added that China was Pakistan’s ironclad friend and a cooperative partner under any circumstances. China saw Pakistan’s security concerns as legitimate and Yi conveyed his support in upholding Pakistan’s sovereignty and security interests.

Finally, he emphasised how an India-Pakistan conflict is not the goodwill of regional peace and stability, and that it will not serve the fundamental interests of the two countries. Yi hoped that both sides would “exercise restraint, move toward each other, and work to deescalate tensions”, as reported by the Global Times.

As part of its five-point rebuttal to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched a diplomatic offensive on Pakistan under which it suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Wagah-Attari Border and halted the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, asking those in India to vacate the country within 48 hours.