China criticised India’s plan to host a G20 Summit in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in 2023, calling on New Delhi to “avoid politicising relevant cooperation,” echoing Pakistan’s position on the matter.
Responding to a media query about the summit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China’s position on the Kashmir conflict is “consistent and clear-cut.” Beijing supports the peaceful resolution of the matter in accordance with the United Nations charter, Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements, he underscored. Zhao also urged both sides to “settle the dispute through dialogue and consultation” in the interest of “regional peace and stability.”
In a veiled jab at India, he said that both sides should “avoid unilateral moves that may complicate the situation.” He added that the Chinese government is considering whether it would attend an event in Kashmir if India decides to go through with the plan.
China moving the goalposts:
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 30, 2022
China on India hosting G20 meet in Kashmir: Don't politicizing
China on CPEC passing thru Pok: help grow economy, improves livelihood https://t.co/Utxua3dLzy pic.twitter.com/Sf0kWLok7z
The Chinese spokesperson reiterated that the group is “the premier forum for international economic and financial cooperation” and urged the allies to focus on the global economic recovery and “make positive contributions.”
In a separate question, Zhao clarified that while China believes that Kashmir is a disputed area, projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the region are in “Pakistan-occupied areas of Kashmir.” He said that the projects aim to help improve the Pakistani economy and people’s livelihoods and do not impact Beijing’s position on the conflict.
These comments come just a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Yang Jiechi, a senior member of China’s Politburo and the director of its Foreign Affairs Commission, about India’s “unabated repression and gross violations of human rights” in J&K. The Pakistani leader also expressed gratitude for China’s “principled stand and steadfast support” on the dispute.
So interesting to hear the plans of #India for the #G20 Presidency next year from @harshvshringla. In line with its experience, focus will be on global public goods, & inclusive #development pic.twitter.com/3DIPERDrJi
— Gabriela Ramos (@gabramosp) June 23, 2022
In fact, China has frequently extended its support to Pakistan on the J&K issue. Back in August 2020, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denounced India’s “illegal and invalid” decision to abrogate Article 370 (which revoked the region’s earlier special status) in 2019.
Similarly, in March of this year, speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China shares the “same hope” as that of other group members in their support for Kashmir’s “just freedom struggles.”
Likewise, in May, a joint statement following a meeting between Wang and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on India to resolve the Kashmir dispute “based on the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.”
In response, India has repeatedly urged China to refrain from commenting on its internal affairs.
Media reports suggest that India intends to host a few G20 events in J&K during its upcoming presidency of the grouping, which begins in December. In fact, the region’s administration has set up a committee with representatives from its Tourism, Hospitality and Protocol Department, and Culture Department to plan the scheduled events.
If successful, this will be the first international event in the region since its special status was revoked in August 2019.
Excellent move. Jammu & Kashmir to host several meetings as part of G20 Summit which is being hosted by India in 2023. J&K Government forms high-level committee for overall coordination of the G20 meetings next year. pic.twitter.com/830tJ3H9BV
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 24, 2022
Pakistan’s foreign ministry voiced its stern opposition to these reports in a statement released on June 25. Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan “completely rejects” such moves, arguing that J&K has “been under forcible and illegal occupation of India since 1947.”
He thus said that any events in the region “would be designed [for India] to seek international legitimacy” for its “illegal and tyrannical” actions in the region. In this respect, Ifthikar urged the G20 and the international community at large to reject such a “travesty.”
He alleged that India is perpetrating “widespread atrocities and egregious human rights violations” in the region and “has been seeking to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory in flagrant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law, and the 4th Geneva Convention.”
He concluded the statement by reiterating Pakistan’s call for the people of the region to be given the right to self-determination.
Reports suggest that Pakistan has already approached its allies in the G20—China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia—to voice their opposition to India’s plans to host meetings in J&K and boycott the events if they do take place.