BEIJING, June 29: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haq on Saturday reiterated to his Chinese hosts that Pakistan had no intention of provoking war with India, state press said.

Briefing Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on the standoff between Pakistan and India, “Haq stressed the Pakistani side will never provoke a war and hopes to resolve the conflicts through dialogue and negotiations,” Xinhua news agency said.

Tang urged Pakistan to restore dialogue and ease tensions with India “as early as possible,” the report said.

“China highly appreciates the efforts made by President Pervez Musharraf and his government to ease the tension in South Asia,” Tang was quoted as telling Haq.

Haq’s visit to China is his first overseas visit since being appointed acting foreign minister on June 19. He replaced Abdul Sattar, who resigned earlier this month, citing health reasons.

His first diplomatic mission to China came at the request of President Musharraf, Xinhua said. Haq served as Pakistan’s ambassador to China three years ago.

China is a key ally of Pakistan and has a degree of influence over Islamabad’s position on regional affairs.

“The Chinese government always attaches importance to the friendly relations and cooperation with Pakistan, which has stood the tests of the changing international situation,” Tang said.

“In dealing with issues concerning India-Pakistan relations, China always aims at maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and will continue to make active efforts to this purpose,” he said.—AFP