New Delhi: In a jolt to India, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pakistan the “mothership of terrorism”, China on Monday strongly defended its all-weather ally, saying it is against linking any country or religion with terror and asked the world community to acknowledge Pakistan’s “great sacrifices” in the battle against terror. The statement made in Beijing — merely hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping left India after the Brics Summit in Goa — is being seen as a response to Mr Modi’s veiled message to China at the summit, cautioning Beijing against “selective approaches to terrorist individuals and organisations”.
The Chinese statement shows that Beijing has not changed its mind despite India’s persuasion. China has major economic interests in Pakistan including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will connect China to the Pakistani port of Gwadar and give it direct access to the maritime area near West Asia.
In a sharp reaction to a question about Mr Modi’s characterisation of Pakistan at the Brics Summit, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry Hua Chunying said that India and Pakistan are “all victims of terrorism”.
China says Pakistan did lot to curb terror
In a sharp reaction to a question about Mr Modi’s characterisation of Pakistan at the Brics Summit, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry Hua Chunying said Islamabad has made a “great sacrifice to combat terrorism and this needs to be recognised by the international community”.
Answering a question on Mr Modi’s criticism of Islamabad in aiding and abetting terror groups opposed to India, she said “on counter-terrorism, China’s position is consistent”.
“It is the same way we oppose linking terrorism with any specific country or religion,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said. “We oppose terrorism in all forms and we believe that international concerted efforts are needed to ensure stability and security of all countries,” she was quoted by news agencies, as saying in Beijing, adding, “We oppose linking terrorism with any specific ethnicity or religion. .”
To another question about India’s criticism that the Pakistan state apparatus continues to support anti-India terrorist groups by giving them arms, training, and financial and logistical support Hu said: “I understand your concern.”
