Beijing highly concerned over Kashmir situation, rising Pak-India tensions: Chinese FM

FM Wang Yi says China opposes the unilateral action taken by India; urges both sides to maintain regional peace

BEIJING: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday said Beijing is greatly concerned over the current situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) and escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India.

His comments came during a meeting with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to China.

Wang said China opposed the unilateral action taken by India and said it had further complicated the situation in IoK and the region.

“New Delhi’s move to end the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir will change the status quo of the disputed area and result in a tense situation in the region,” he said.

Wang said Beijing hoped India and Pakistan would resolve their disputes in a peaceful manner and jointly safeguard the overall situation of regional peace and stability.

India imposes occupied Kashmir clampdown to head off Eid protests

He called on both sides to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, cherish the outcomes of the improvement of bilateral relations, further enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation, according to a Chinese official press release.

The Indian foreign minister articulated New Delhi's stance on IoK and said that it was willing to exercise restraint and improve relations with Pakistan.

He said India will also abide by the consensus reached with China on maintaining peace in the border and continue to work with China to properly solve the border issue through consultations, according to the press release.

Earlier on Monday, Pakistan strongly condemned India’s atrocious lockdown in IoK and the resultant curtailment of religious freedom of millions of Kashmiris on Eidul Azha.

“Restrictions and curtailment of this fundamental religious freedom of millions of Kashmiri Muslims constitutes a serious violation of applicable international human rights law, to which India is a party,” said the Foreign Office in a statement issued after Kashmiris were prevented from offering Eid prayers at Srinagar’s historical Jamia Masjid.

Pakistan condemns India’s clampdown in IOK to block Eid congregations

The complete communications blockade of telephone (landline and cellular) and internet services for over a week, also deprived the Kashmiris from contacting their families and loved ones on the festival.

The FO said such measures amount to “collective punishment” on an industrial scale and violate all principles and precepts of human rights and humanitarian law.

Islamabad also called upon the international community, including the United Nations human rights machinery and other relevant bodies, to hold New Delhi to account for the deliberate crimes against religion, violations of international law and lack of respect for human decency.