BEIJING (Kashmir English): In a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, President Zardari discussed the Kashmir issue and their defense cooperation to maintain balance in the region.
During the meeting, the Pakistani representatives gave an update on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir. In contrast, the Chinese side reiterated their stand that the dispute over Kashmir should be resolved peacefully by the UN Charter and bilateral agreements.
The two countries emphasized their defense cooperation in maintaining a strategic balance in the region, and they agreed to continue with high-level military visits and exchanges and elevate cooperation in many areas such as joint training, exercises, and military technology.
During Zardari’s visit, over a dozen documents were signed between the two countries in the areas of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), trade, science and technology, and media.
The CPEC project has become a game-changer for Pakistan since it traversed through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), leading to several tensions between Pakistan and India.
China is Pakistan’s biggest creditor, with its share at 22% of the total external debt. The two sides also called on the interim Afghan government to take action against terrorist groups based in Afghanistan that threaten regional and global security.
The meeting between Zardari and Xi also produced an agreement to enhance intelligence sharing and cooperation to counter militant attacks targeting Chinese workers on CPEC projects.
In this regard, talks were held among Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart Qi Yanjun. The CPEC project has faced opposition from groups like the BLA and extremist Islamic groups. India also raised its objections to the project, bringing forth its passage through POK.
