Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to visit China for talks with Chinese, Afghan counterparts

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will visit China from May 19-21 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on bilateral relations, regional security, and the evolving situation in South Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to China on Monday, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will also arrive in China on May 20 to attend a trilateral meeting with Dar and Wang, Geo News reported.

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Dar is visiting China from May 19 to 21 on the invitation of his counterpart Wang to hold talks on issues of interest, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

He will hold “in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability,” the statement said.

“The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” it added.

The visit forms part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China that underscore the two countries’ shared commitment to further strengthen the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’, according to the statement.

Dar will also participate in the trilateral meeting with his Chinese and Afghan counterparts.

“The foreign ministers of the three countries are expected to discuss the promotion of regional trade, enhanced security cooperation, and the evolving situation in the region, particularly in the wake of the recent Pakistan-India conflict,” the report said.

It would be Dar’s first foreign trip after India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end a conflict that saw four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

China had welcomed the understanding between India and Pakistan, saying it was in the fundamental and long-term interest of both countries, and is conducive to regional peace and stability.

India carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.