A map showing Sino-Indian Geography Photo: CIA Factbook via Wikimedia
China is adopting a multifaceted approach to ensuring peace in its neighborhood that involves diplomacy, economic partnerships and a balance of security equation in South Asia.
In recent years, China has stepped up its efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. Besides, China has been part of talks toward reconciliation in Afghanistan – a U.S. goal.
In Pakistan, its longtime ally, Beijing is investing around $ 54 billion to establish a trade corridor with oil-rich Gulf through Gwadar deep sea port.
With India, despite a contentious border dispute, it has a huge trade relationship. The U.S. also wants peaceful Pakistan-India relations.
The latest expression of its policy to maintain peace in the region came this week, when it hoped that Pakistan and India would be able to overcome their differences through a renewed dialogue process.
Pakistan-India relations hold immense importance for Beijing at a time of changing international scenario. Pakistan-India dialogue stalled last year following New Delhi’s use of brutal force against civilian protesters in the disputed Kashmir territory and a militant attack on Indian army base in Uri.
Both India and Pakistan are China’s important neighbors and important countries in South Asia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said this week.
“China hopes that India and Pakistan can enhance mutual trust and improve relations through more dialogues. This is conducive to not only the two countries themselves but also to regional prosperity and development,” said Spokesperson Hua Chunying.
Quite importantly, the spokesperson said China looks forward to both Pakistan and India becoming full members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) so that they could work with other members for the security, stability, development and prosperity of the region.
“The memorandum on the obligations for India and Pakistan to obtain membership in the SCO was signed at the SCO Tashkent Summit in 2016. Currently, all sides are going through relevant legal procedures in accordance with the memorandum,” the spokesperson added.
