Pakistan foreign minister meets Chinese counterpart; discusses Kashmir

foreign ministers of China and Pakistan held ir 2nd annual strategic dialogue on Friday during which y discussed  Kashmir issue, progress on China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor and Afghan peace process. Billed as “highly relevant” and “very important” by both countries ahead of meeting held in sourn Chinese island resort of Hainan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed a host of bilateral, regional and international issues.

A joint statement issued at end of meeting said that “both sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties. Parties need to settle disputes and issues in region through dialogue on basis of equality and mutual respect”.“ Pakistani side briefed Chinese side on situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues”, it said.

“ Chinese side reiterated that Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, which is an objective fact, and that dispute should be resolved peacefully and properly through UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate situation”, joint press release said.

India has been maintaining that China has locus standi in commenting on Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi has previously told Beijing that Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir "has been, is and shall continue to be an integral part of India." Earlier this month, Ministry of External Affairs said that issues pertaining to Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were solely an internal matter of India.

meeting took place amid reports of crisis in Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations which were regarded as bedrock of Islamabad’s foreign policy for decades. Qureshi left for Hainan after return of Pakistan Army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa from Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with senior officials on state of relations between Riyadh and Islamabad.

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Pakistan Tries To Ease Strained Ties With Saudi

Saudi Arabia's massive $6.2 billion, three-year financial pack to Pakistan seems to have reached an end within just a year after former expressed that it was t keen to continue rolling out  money to debt-ridden country. Pakistani media reported that one-year term of lease came to an end on July 9, after which Riyadh was to renew financial assistance for ar two years. However, talks of renewal have been made between two countries even a month after lease expired.  

Later in an attempt to bring some respite in strained relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has met Saudi Arabian counterpart General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili to discuss prospects for military cooperation. "During meeting, prospects for military cooperation and ways to support and boost it were reviewed, in addition to matters of common concern," a statement said. "Gen Bajwa was received by Saudi Arabia's Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili," Geo News quoted Ministry of Defense Saudi Arabia.

(with PTI inputs)

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