China blinks, says 'Kashmir is bilateral' as Imran Khan & Bajwa arrive

Days before the important PM Modi- President Jinping meeting in Chennai, China on Tuesday, has once again flipped its stance on Kashmir, calling it being a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. This statement was made in a press briefing as Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently visiting China. When asked about the connection between the Pak-China meeting and Indo-China meet, China maintained its diplomacy. It stated that the bilateral issue must be resolved as per the common interests of both nations.

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'Kashmir is bilateral': China

"China's position on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear. China hopes that India and Pakistan will strengthen dialogue on disputes including Kashmir, enhance mutual trust and improve relations. This is in line with the common interests of both India and Pakistan and is the common expectation of the countries and the international community," stated China in the press briefing

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Pak PM arrives in China, restarts Kashmir issue

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in China for an official visit ahead of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) meeting. Pakistan currently faces the impending possibility of being placed on the Black List. Khan is scheduled to engage with various stakeholders on issues of regional and bilateral importance such as the Kashmir issue and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan had previously pressured China in approaching the UN Council to intervene in Kashmir. But, time and again, the UN too has denied intervening in the bilateral issue.

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Pakistan's economic woes

Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff Qamar Bajwa has already reached China for talks with the nation’s military leadership. Most of the CPEC projects have been stalled due to the prevailing fear among Pakistan’s bureaucracy of action being taken by the National Accountability Bureau.  The other big concern for India’s western neighbour is to avoid being placed on the Black List. Due to its failure to stem terror financing, the Asia Pacific Group- a body of the FATF placed it on the Enhanced Follow Up List in August 2019. 

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PM Modi- Xi Jinping meeting

Preparations are underway in Tamil Nadu for the bilateral meetings between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping which is scheduled to happen at Mahabalipuram, Chennai. As per sources, both the leaders are expected to arrive at Chennai airport on the evening of October 11, following which they will reach Mahabalipuram through road. Sources have added that PM Modi is hosting a dinner for Chinese dignitaries on October 11 night which will be followed by cultural programs. On the second day, both the leaders will visit various cultural heritage sites like Pancha Pandava raths and the beach facing Shore Temple, followed by a closed-door meeting in the evening. On the morning of October 13, the leaders are expected to leave the town. The informal-bilateral meeting which is taking place between PM Modi Chinese President will be of diplomatic importance since the trade factors will be discussed.