China Offers Support to Pakistan, Urges Restraint Following Pahalgam Terror Attack

China Supports Pakistan Amid Tensions After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a demonstration of solidarity with its trusted ally Pakistan, China came out in support of the sovereignty and security interests of the country after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. On a phone call to Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that restraint should come from both New Delhi and Islamabad following the fatal accident, in which 26 people died and was blamed on a faction allied with Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Wang Yi said China is closely following the evolving situation and prefers an “impartial investigation” into the attack. This is while India-Pakistan tensions have recently heightened, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack, with India having imposed a series of punitive measures thereafter. India, in retaliatory response, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed down the only working land border point at Attari. Pakistan subsequently threatened to counter any disruption of river waters by treating it as an “act of war” and, by way of reaction, close down its airspace for Indian airliners and stop all trade with India.

In the discussion, Wang reconfirmed China’s stance, proclaiming, “China has ever stood by Pakistan in its robust anti-terrorism activities. As a robust friend and all-weather strategic counterpart, China fully recognizes Pakistan’s lawful security concerns.” He added that fighting is not in either country’s crucial interests and appealed to both to “exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, and promote the cooling of the situation.”

Dar, who is also Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, reaffirmed Islamabad’s resolve to fighting terrorism and regional stability. He denounced India’s “unilateral and illegal actions” and thanked China for its unwavering support, reaffirming the shared vision of a strong strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

At a larger level, the heightened tensions have attracted global attention. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has spoken to numerous world leaders about the Pahalgam attack and India’s position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. World leaders from across the globe, such as those from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, have condemned the attack and shown support for India.

Since the situation is continuously changing, Pakistan and China alike have indicated support for promoting regional peace and stability while resisting unilateralism and hegemony policies.