China calls for more terrorism cooperation between India and Pakistan

China on Friday encourd two countries to eng in more counter-terrorism cooperation and dialogue for regional peace and stability.

Pakistan is set to release captured Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a "first step" to open negotiations with India after y detained pilot following a military confrontation between air forces of two sides along Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed.

Asked how China views Pakistan's decision to release pilot and wher Beijing played any behind--scenes role in it, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters: "Well, from start China has been calling upon two sides exercise restraint and take measures to ease tensions, eng in dialogue to resolve differences".

"De-escalation serves common interests of both countries. We encour two sides to eng in more dialogue for peace and stability in region," he said.

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About Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer to investigate Pulwama terror attack if credible evidence is provided, Lu said: "We encour two sides to take more measures to create favourable atmosphere for joint efforts to deal with relevant issue."

" cooperation on counter-terrorism and jointly uphold regional peace and stability, this is what China hopes to see".

China's call for more India-Pakistan cooperation on counter-terrorism comes in backdrop of Beijing endorsing India's demand for elimination of breeding grounds of terrorism and extremism and agreeing to have joint policy coordination under aegis of Russia, India, China (RIC) Foreign Ministers mechanism.

Briefing media after RIC ministers talks held on February 27 at Chinese city of Wuzhen, Wang said: "We agreed to jointly combat all forms of terrorism through closer policy coordination and practical cooperation. Especially important is to ericate breeding grounds of terrorism and extremism".

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who attended meeting, held talks with Wang before RIC meeting.

Wang, in his concluding remarks, tried to strike a balance by backing Pakistan, saying "we believe that Pakistan has always been opposed to terrorism".

But at same time, he said China would play a constructive role to de-escalate tense stand-off between India and Pakistan after Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mahammed (JeM).

China, however, is yet to disclose stand it would take in UN Security Council when US, UK and France resolution to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist comes up for discussion.

China has blocked previous three attempts by India and three countries on same issue.

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On Thursday, it sounded n-committal about US, UK, and France resolution to list Azhar as a global terrorist.

"As we have said on many occasions, 1267 committee of UN Security Council has clear rms on listing of terrorist organisations or individuals and relevant procedures," Lu said in response to a question on issue.

China will continue to take a responsible attitude and participate in discussions of Security Council's relevant sanctions committees and or subsidiary bodies, he ded. 

(edited by digital desk)