Welcoming the "positive" remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and new Pakistani PM Imran Khan on improving bilateral ties, China on Wednesday said that it is willing to play a "positive and constructive role" in easing relations between India and Pakistan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the improvement and development of relations between India and Pakistan are important to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
"We have noted relevant reports and we welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving bilateral relations," Lu said while replying to a question on the statements made by the two leaders soon after Khan assumed office as the PM on August 18.
"Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue increase mutual trust, properly handle and solve their differences," Lu said, according to the official transcript of the briefing issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," he said.
"But it is clear that constructive role is any role that is conducive to advancing, consolidating and sustaining the positive momentum," he elaborated.
Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived following a spate of terror attacks on Indian military bases by Pakistan-based terror groups since January 2016. India has made it clear that it will not hold dialogue with Pakistan as terrorism and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.
India has also been maintaining that it is ready to talk to Pakistan only bilaterally without the intervention of any other nation, including China.
