China praises Pakistan’s responsible role in India standoff

China has commended Pakistan for its “responsible conduct” during the recent standoff with India, highlighting Islamabad’s restraint and maturity in handling the crisis. The acknowledgment came during a luncheon hosted by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, where Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong emphasized the significance of peace and stability returning to the region and expressed hope for its positive impact on Pakistan.

Earlier this month, Pakistan launched a significant military operation titled “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, in retaliation to India’s alleged aggression. The strikes, which Pakistan described as “precise and proportionate,” targeted Indian military sites across several areas. The confrontation resulted in Pakistan downing six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and dozens of drones. The conflict de-escalated after 87 hours following a ceasefire brokered by the United States.

The standoff had been triggered by an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 tourists. India accused Pakistan of involvement without presenting evidence.

During the meeting, Minister Iqbal expressed appreciation for China’s support, stating, “At every critical juncture in our history, China has stood by Pakistan as a rock-solid partner…” He also briefed the ambassador on progress regarding Gwadar Port, which is now connected to the national power grid. “Connecting Gwadar to the national grid marks a turning point…” he noted.

Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China’s strong support for Gwadar and praised Iqbal’s leadership in advancing CPEC as a regional cooperation model. Preparations for the upcoming 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in July 2025 were also discussed, with Iqbal asserting, “The upcoming JCC is an opportunity to elevate our cooperation to the next level…”

He also highlighted the “Uraan Pakistan” vision and proposed academic collaborations between Chinese and Pakistani institutions, including agricultural training initiatives and medical partnerships.

The discussions underscored China and Pakistan’s shared resolve to deepen bilateral ties and accelerate projects that contribute to regional prosperity and integration.