China extends support to ‘impartial’ probe into Kashmir attack

ISTANBUL

China on Monday extended its support to a proposal by Pakistan which urged India to hold an “impartial” probe into the April 22 Kashmir attack which left 26 people dead, triggering renewed escalation between New Delhi and Islamabad, state media reported.

“China welcomes all initiatives that are conducive to the de-escalation of the current situation and supports carrying out an impartial investigation as soon as possible,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters when asked if Beijing plans to participate if such a probe is conducted.

Unidentified gunmen killed 26 victims last week in Pahalgam, the Indian-administered Kashmir.

Since then, tensions have risen between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them but claimed by both in its entirety.

Saying that the attack had cross-border links, India suspended a 1960 water-sharing treaty and closed their only operational land border crossing. It also revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

Islamabad, however, distanced itself from the attack, saying it was "concerned" and extended condolences to the victims' families. It also took retaliatory measures against India.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said Islamabad is open to a “neutral” investigation into the attack.

His Defense Minister Khawaja Asif suggested Russia, China, and other Western nations could join the investigation into the Pahalgam attack to determine “whether India was telling the truth.”

"As a common neighbor of India and Pakistan, China hopes that both India and Pakistan will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo.