New Delhi (July 14, 2017): India has rejected China’s offer to mediate and help resolve the Kashmir issue, insisting talks will only take place with Pakistan without the intervention of another nation.
China had said it was willing to play a “constructive role” in improving relations between India and Pakistan, especially after the increased hostility along the Line of Control, a de facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir valley between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India said that its stand on resolving issues through bilateral framework has not changed. The reply came in the backdrop of China’s saying that it is ready to play a constructive role in improving ties between Pakistan and India.
“We are ready to have a dialogue with Pakistan, among other issues, but in a bilateral framework. India’s position of addressing all issues with Pakistan, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue, in a bilateral framework has not changed,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokersperson Gopal Baglay.
Earlier Beijing had said the conflict between India and Pakistan is threatening peace and stability in the region.
“Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. The conflict between the two countries along the Line of Control in Kashmir is neither conducive to their own stability and development nor regional peace and tranquillity,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said during a press conference on Wednesday.
“China hopes relevant parties will do more to help with regional peace and stability and refrain from escalating the tension. China stands ready to play a constructive role to improve the relations between Pakistan and India,” he added.
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