ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has left for Beijing, China, on a three-day official trip, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
His visit comes at a time when diplomatic activity between Pakistan and China is gaining momentum, especially following the recent standoff with India over the Pahalgam incident.
During his stay in the Chinese capital, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials, including members of the Chinese Communist Party. The discussions will focus on regional developments and the broad-based cooperation between the two countries.
The Foreign Office said the visit is part of regular high-level exchanges and highlights the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China, often described as an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”.
Earlier, the ministry had confirmed that Senator Dar was visiting Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, is also expected to arrive in Beijing on May 20 to take part in a trilateral meeting involving representatives from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.
In the wake of the recent military escalation with India, China expressed firm support for Pakistan. The Chinese ambassador in Islamabad referred to the Pakistan-China relationship as one of “ironclad brothers”, emphasising that both nations have stood by each other in difficult times.
The latest tensions with India led to a large-scale retaliatory action by Pakistan’s armed forces, named Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. Several Indian military sites across different regions were targeted in what officials described as “precise and proportionate” strikes.
These were carried out in response to ongoing Indian aggression along the Line of Control and within Pakistani territory. India had claimed its operations were directed at “terrorist targets”.
Pakistan responded by shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and numerous drones. The conflict came to an end after about 87 hours with a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States on May 10.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 departed for Beijing today on a three-day visit.
In Beijing, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister would hold comprehensive discussions with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, as well as other… pic.twitter.com/bWB7mSUo7w
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 19, 2025
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total of 53 lives were lost during the fighting, including 13 members of the armed forces and 40 civilians, as a result of Indian strikes.
The latest confrontation was sparked by an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last month, in which 26 tourists were killed. India blamed Pakistan for the incident but has not presented any evidence.
