China and Pakistan have also released a joint statement against unilateral actions to be taken for the settlement of outstanding issues of South Asia and highlighted the importance of peace and stability in South Asia.
However, India has always rejected all these joint notes of China and Pakistan, further clarifying that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. It remains India's view that the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility. Since India has downgraded relations with Pakistan post the abrogation of Article 370, India's interest in having friendly neighborhood relations is a lot more subsidiary to the larger imperative of dealing with issues of terrorism and hostility emanating from Pakistan.
A joint statement at the end of his trip said, “Both sides underscore the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action.”
“The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements,” it said.
Sharif also had meetings with senior leaders of China, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, on a range of political and strategic matters concerning India and the region. The two leaders highlighted the military cooperation existing between the two countries in many domains and states, a critical component of their combined efforts towards regional peace and stability.
The two countries signed several agreements on Saturday (7) across fields from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, agriculture, infrastructure, and industrial cooperation, among others. They further announced the intention to strengthen both communication and coordinations over Afghanistan and urged the Afghanistan interim administration to adopt inclusive policies and fight terrorism.
President Xi has full affirmation for the China-Pakistan strategic partnership, unwaveringly pledging to deepen cooperation to contribute to regional peace and development. The building of a closer China-Pakistan community is committed to a shared future.
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