Janus-faced China condemns Pahalgam attack but backs ‘friend' Pakistan
China was among the first countries to respond to the de-escalation agreement between India and Pakistan, which seeks to ease heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. However, Beijing's response appeared ambivalent, an act of delicate diplomatic balancing, as it extended equal support to both sides.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, reaffirmed China's support for Pakistan in safeguarding its "sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence." He described Pakistan as an 'iron-clad friend'.advertisementAccording to the Chinese Foreign Office, Wang Yi acknowledged Pakistan's "restraint and appreciated its responsible approach under challenging circumstances". The wily Chinese diplomat reaffirmed that as Pakistan's "all-weather strategic cooperative partner and iron-clad friend", Beijing will continue to stand firmly by Islamabad in "upholding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence".
Simultaneously, Wang Yi held a phone conversation with India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, during which he condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reiterated China's opposition to all forms of terrorism."Wang Yi expressed China's condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its opposition to all forms of terrorism. He noted that, given the current complex and volatile international situation, peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and should be cherished," a statement from his office said.Beijing further stated that it hopes both sides will remain calm, exercise restraint, resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid any further escalation.advertisement"China supports and looks forward to India and Pakistan achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through negotiations, which is in the fundamental interests of both countries and the shared aspirations of the international community," the statement added.Experts view this dual approach as a Janus-faced policy that prioritises its strategic alliance with Pakistan over a consistent stance against terrorism. Janus is a Roman god of duality, who has two faces.Meanwhile, reports suggested that the India-Pakistan agreement came after intense diplomatic efforts involving several countries, including China, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. However, New Delhi maintained that the ceasefire understanding was reached through direct negotiations between the two sides.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following the ceasefire announcement, expressed deep gratitude to China -- Pakistan's closest ally and largest defence partner -- for its continued support."I want to thank China from the bottom of my heart. I thank the respected President and the people of China who have stood by Pakistan for the past 58 years," he said.On Saturday, India and Pakistan agreed to halt all military actions by land, air, and sea with immediate effect. The decision came after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that had pushed the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of full-scale war.advertisementWhile US President Donald Trump claimed that the truce resulted from American-brokered talks, the Indian government firmly stated that the agreement was the outcome of direct bilateral engagement. Officials added that the understanding was reached after Islamabad agreed to the ceasefire "without preconditions, postconditions, or linkages to other issues".Tensions between the two countries had sharply escalated following precision strikes by Indian armed forces on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which had cross-border linkages.Tune InTrending Reel
IN THIS STORY#India-China#India-Pakistan#Pakistan
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