ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent on Wednesday and thanked him for China’s unequivocal support for Pakistan’s candidature for the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

According to a statement issued here by the Presidency, Mr Hussain said that China’s stance was based on the policy of non-discrimination. “Pakistan and India should be included in the NSG at the same time, similar to their inclusion in the SCO,” he was quoted as saying.

The two leaders expressed their resolve to maintain close collaboration for the region’s security and prosperity and to jointly fight terrorism.

President Hussain said that Pakistan and China held unanimity of views on regional peace, prosperity and stability. He said Pakistan was supportive of `One China policy’. He said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and mentioned the ongoing military operation Zarb-i-Azb against terrorists.

Several heads of state are attending the 16th summit of SCO.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2016