Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?

New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.

- Syed Nooruzzaman

China surprised India and the rest of the world by commenting in an unusual manner on the current Kashmir crisis that took serious proportions after July 9 following the killing of well known terrorist and Hizbul Mujahidin commander Burhan Wani. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, “China has taken note of relevant reports. We are equally concerned about the casualties in the clash, and hope that the relevant incident will be handled properly.”

The comment, posted on the ministry’s website, reflects the growing presence of Beijing in Pakistan, including the Gilgit-Baltistan region and the rest of Kashmir territory under Islamabad’s control. Beijing went ahead to add, “The Kashmir issue is left over from history. China holds a consistent stance and hopes relevant parties will address the issue peacefully through dialogue.”

Earlier, China avoided making such remarks, keeping in view the sensitivities of India as well as its own interest in the region, though it indulged in pinpricking India by resorting to issuing stapled visas and other such activities. But then, the Chinese presence in Pakistan was not as strong and widespread as it is today. The language used by Beijing has also undergone transformation. Hence the deviation from its routine comment, which used to be on these lines: The Kashmir question is a matter between two sovereign nations and it should be settled by them in that spirit through dialogue and discussion.