Pakistan China, Pakistan oppose unilateral action on Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday reiterating their opposition to any unilateral actions, reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, and resolution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, including Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

According to a joint statement issued simultaneously by Beijing and Islamabad at the conclusion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's four-day visit to China, both sides expressed their readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation.

"The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements," the statement said.

The two countries also opposed "any unilateral actions" and stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia through dialogue and diplomacy, it said, adding that the two sides expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality.

The joint stance of Pakistan and China becomes significant in the wake of India's unilateral decision of stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status in 2019. Furthermore, during the military conflict in May last year, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

According to the statement, during the talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz and the Chinese leadership, the two countries reached a "new broad consensus" on deepening their strategic partnership, accelerating CPEC 2.0 projects and transforming Gwadar into a regional connectivity hub.

The two countries pledged to "move faster" in building an even closer 'China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era', while expanding cooperation in defence, security, economy, artificial intelligence, space technology and regional diplomacy.