NEW DELHI, April 29: China on Tuesday welcomed as “positive” the recent peace initiatives taken by India and Pakistan for peace and said the steps were “conducive” for resumption of dialogue between the two countries to maintain peace and stability in the region.

“The Chinese side welcomes and appreciates the positive attitude taken by the Indian and Pakistani sides which is conducive for the resumption of dialogue between them,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying.

“The Chinese side has always maintained that India and Pakistan should settle their disputes through dialogue,” Liu said.

He was responding to a question on telephonic talks between Prime Minister Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Monday.—Correspondent