By Beijing/Islamabad/New Delhi — China has urged both India and Pakistan to remain calm and avoid escalation after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region left 26 civilians dead, many of them tourists. During a high-level call on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, emphasizing the need for restraint and the importance of preserving regional peace and stability.
Chinese media reports said Wang Yi called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the attack and reaffirmed China’s commitment to closely monitoring the situation between the two South Asian rivals. Wang highlighted that fighting terrorism is a global responsibility and expressed support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“As Pakistan’s ironclad friend and long-standing strategic partner, China fully respects Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and stands firmly by its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and interests,” the Global Times quoted Wang Yi as saying.
China’s Balanced Approach
While extending support to Pakistan’s security concerns, China simultaneously called for a neutral investigation into the April 22 attack. Wang emphasized that conflict would not benefit either India or Pakistan, and stressed that maintaining peace was essential for regional stability.
The conversation between Wang and Dar underlined Beijing’s dual message — one of solidarity with Islamabad while also urging restraint and dialogue to prevent a wider confrontation.
China’s nuanced position is particularly noteworthy given its historically close ties with Pakistan. Nonetheless, Chinese officials have also publicly condemned the attack. Last week, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong expressed shock over the incident, offering condolences to the victims and their families and reaffirming China’s opposition to terrorism in all its forms.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic events in Pahalgam,” Xu said. “We extend heartfelt sympathies to the injured and the families of the deceased. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism.”
India Responds Strongly
India’s response to the Pahalgam massacre has been swift and severe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that the perpetrators would face consequences “beyond their imagination,” suggesting that additional punitive measures could soon follow.
In the immediate aftermath, New Delhi announced the suspension of the historic Indus Waters Treaty — a water-sharing pact that has withstood past wars and crises — and halted all types of visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Indian authorities also ordered all Pakistani citizens currently residing in India to leave within 72 hours.
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty marks a serious escalation, as the river system is crucial for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Islamabad, interpreting India’s move as an act of aggression, responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, another key framework governing India-Pakistan relations. Pakistan’s National Security Council warned that any attempt to restrict Pakistan’s access to its rightful share of the Indus River water would be viewed as an “act of war.”
Pakistan Briefs China
During Sunday’s call, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed Wang Yi on Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and the country’s response to the attack. Dar thanked China for its consistent and unwavering support, emphasizing the strong bond between the two countries.
Pakistan’s outreach to China reflects Islamabad’s strategy of securing diplomatic backing at a time of rising tensions with India. Chinese officials, while standing by Pakistan, maintained that stability in South Asia is a shared goal and called on both sides to work toward de-escalation.
The Global Times reported that Beijing hoped India and Pakistan would “move toward each other” and resolve their disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.
A Fragile Moment
This latest flare-up between India and Pakistan comes at a time when regional tensions are already high, and international mediation appears limited. Unlike in previous standoffs, when powers like the United States often stepped in to defuse tensions, the current international environment is less engaged in South Asia’s security affairs.
Both India and Pakistan now face the delicate challenge of balancing national pride with the need to avoid a full-scale conflict. With China publicly advocating restraint, and with both governments under domestic pressure, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over military escalation.
For now, the world watches closely as two nuclear-armed neighbors navigate one of their most dangerous confrontations in years, triggered by an act of terror that has already shaken the region.
