RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Chinese military leadership on Tuesday discussed the regional security environment including the situation in India-held Jammu and Kashmir, the developing situation in Gulf and efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

The talks were held at the PLA Headquarters in Beijing where Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa met Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Commander Gen Han Weiguo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Com­mission (CMC) Gen Xu Qili­ang, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.

The two sides at the meeting also discussed Pakistan-China defence cooperation and agreed to enhance the existing cooperation in line with history of mutual time-tested relationship.

The COAS apprised the Chinese military leadership about consequences of the ongoing situation in India-held Kashmir if it was not amicably resolved for which India needed to respect the UN resolutions and ensure human rights of Kashmiris.

The Chinese military lea­ders, supporting Pakis­tan’s principled stance on Kashmir issue, appreciated the sane Pakistani approach in the interest of peace. They agreed that continued tensions between Pakistan and India would have serious implications for peace and stability in the region.

Gen Bajwa told the PLA commander and CMC vice chairman that Pakistan looked forward to peace, but that should not come as a result of a compromise on the principles of honour and dignity of the nation.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2019