BEIJING: While commenting on US President Donald Trump’s mediation offer to help resolve the Kashmir issue, China on Friday said it supported the international community, including the United States, in playing a constructive role in improving Pakistan-India relations through dialogue.

“We support the international community, the US included, in playing a constructive role for improving Pakistan-India relations through dialogue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. “We hope the two countries can peacefully settle the Kashmir issue and other bilateral disputes through dialogue, and make concerted efforts to safeguard peace and stability in South Asia,” she added.

The spokesperson said that as a neighbour to both Pakistan and India, China sincerely hoped that Pakistan and India could live in harmony.

Earlier this week, during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Washington, President Trump had expressed his willingness to be a mediator to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2019