China has reaffirmed its strong support for its close ally Pakistan in protecting its sovereignty and security following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. On Sunday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to show restraint in response to the escalating tensions triggered by the incident.
In a telephone conversation with Pakistani deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, Wang conveyed China’s serious concern over the situation. According to a statement issued by China’s foreign ministry, Wang said China is “closely following developments after the terror attack” and supports an “impartial investigation” into the incident.
The dialogue between the two foreign ministers occurred against the backdrop of a severe rise in tensions between India and Pakistan. The attack, which took place on April 22 near the town of Pahalgam, resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. Responsibility for the assault was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group known to operate as a proxy for Pakistan-based militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response to the deadly attack, India implemented a series of strong punitive actions against Pakistan. These measures included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the only functioning land border crossing between the two countries at Attari. Pakistan reacted strongly to India’s actions, warning that any attempt to block river waters would be viewed as an “act of war.” Islamabad also announced countermeasures, including the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft and the suspension of all trade activities with India.
Addressing these developments, Wang Yi stated, “China has always supported Pakistan in its resolute anti-terrorism actions. As a staunch friend and all-weather strategic partner, China fully understands Pakistan’s reasonable security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests.” He emphasized that China is “closely following the development of the current situation” and reiterated Beijing’s call for an “impartial investigation as soon as possible.”
Wang stressed that conflict would not serve the “fundamental interests of India and Pakistan” nor contribute to “regional peace and stability.” Instead, he urged both nations to “exercise restraint, meet each other halfway and promote the cooling of the situation.”
During their conversation, Dar provided Wang with a detailed briefing on the circumstances surrounding the attack and the subsequent rise in tensions. According to the Chinese readout, Dar told Wang that Pakistan has consistently been firm in its efforts to fight terrorism and has “opposed taking actions that may lead to an escalation of the situation.” He also assured Wang that Pakistan remains committed to managing the situation responsibly and intends to maintain communication with China and the broader international community.
Separately, Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued a statement outlining Dar’s remarks. In the statement, Dar rejected what he described as India’s “unilateral and illegal actions” as well as “its baseless propaganda against Pakistan.” The statement also quoted Dar expressing his gratitude for China’s steadfast backing, saying he appreciated “China’s consistent and unwavering support” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to the shared vision of an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.”
The statement concluded by noting that “both sides reiterated their firm resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, promote mutual respect and understanding, and jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonic policies.”
At the time of reporting, Indian officials had not issued any immediate reaction to the comments made by the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Indian external affairs minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his newly appointed British counterpart David Lammy on Sunday. During their conversation, Jaishankar brought up the issue of the “cross-border terrorist attack at Pahalgam.” He later posted on social media that he had “underlined the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism” during the discussion.
Indian leaders have been actively engaging with their international counterparts in the wake of the attack to gather support and condemn terrorism. In the past few days, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar have spoken with several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These conversations have largely focused on securing international condemnation of the attack and garnering expressions of solidarity with India.
The terror attack at Pahalgam has once again exposed the fragile nature of the relationship between India and Pakistan, which has often been marred by mutual distrust and violent incidents. Efforts by international players, particularly close allies like China and influential nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, are likely to play a critical role in shaping the course of events in the coming weeks.
China’s call for an “impartial investigation” aligns with its longstanding approach of urging dialogue and restraint between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. However, Beijing’s strong reiteration of its support for Pakistan’s security concerns underscores the depth of the China-Pakistan strategic relationship, often described as an “all-weather” partnership by both sides.
Observers note that India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a pact that has survived several wars between the two nations, marks a significant escalation. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has been a rare symbol of cooperation between India and Pakistan despite their deep-seated animosities. Its suspension could have far-reaching consequences, not just for bilateral ties but for regional water security as well.
Pakistan’s warning that halting river waters would be an “act of war” further complicates the situation, increasing the risk of direct confrontation. The move to shut down airspace and suspend trade also signals a hardening of positions on both sides, making diplomatic de-escalation more urgent than ever.
For now, the world’s attention remains fixed on South Asia, with China, the United States, and other key players closely monitoring how events unfold. The coming days will likely determine whether the crisis can be contained or whether it escalates into a broader conflict, something both countries and the international community are keen to avoid.