Pakistan, China Boost Trade Amid India Tensions
Pakistan and China agreed to deepen economic ties following deadly India-Pakistan clashes.
Pakistan announced Wednesday that it has agreed with China to expand trade and investment cooperation just days after a deadly escalation with India ended in a ceasefire. The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Beijing between Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The meeting came after a four-day conflict between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan—triggered by an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 dead—ended in a fragile ceasefire on May 10.
China Urges Dialogue, Pledges Support for Pakistan’s Sovereignty
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s position that disputes between Islamabad and New Delhi should be addressed through diplomacy. “China welcomes and supports efforts by Pakistan and India to handle their differences through dialogue and to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” Wang said.
According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Beijing also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s “national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Expanding Strategic Cooperation Across Sectors
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation in key sectors including trade, agriculture, industrialization, and investment. The talks signal renewed momentum in China-Pakistan strategic ties, particularly as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a major infrastructure initiative under China’s Belt and Road framework.