BEIJING: China on Fri­day urged the United Nat­ions Security Council (UNSC) to pay attention to the prevailing situation in India-held Kashmir and affirmed that discussion on the Kashmir issue held at the Security Council’s mee­ting would help de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan and pave way for a proper settlement of longstanding issue.

“The UNSC should pay attention to the situation in Kashmir based on the latest developments and the review in the UNSC meeting will help de-escalate tension and proper settlement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Geng Shuang said during his regular briefing.

He said that the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan had always been on the UNSC agenda and as the permanent member of the UNSC, China would continue to play a cons­tr­u­c­tive role in upholding regio­nal peace and stability.

The spokesperson urged the Indian side to think about it and respond to the request from the UNSC members.

He said that China’s position on the Kashmir issue was consistent and clear.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020