BEIJING, May 19 (Alliance News): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Beijing on a three-day official visit to discuss the regional situation following the recent Pakistan-India standoff.
Senior Chinese officials welcome Ishaq Dar upon arrival, Dar’s visit marks the first high-level engagement between Pakistan and China since the ceasefire agreement.
Invited by the Chinese government, Dar is set to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for comprehensive talks on bilateral relations and regional stability.
The delegation includes Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq. The visit underscores the ongoing strength of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two nations.
Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will join a trilateral meeting in Beijing on May 20, involving all three countries.
China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan during the recent escalation with India, describing the Pakistan-China relationship as one of “ironclad brothers.”
This diplomatic backing followed Pakistan’s large-scale retaliatory military operation, “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting multiple Indian military sites in response to Indian aggression across the Line of Control.
The confrontation ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10 after 87 hours of conflict. Pakistan’s military reported downing six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, and numerous drones.
The clashes resulted in 53 Pakistani martyrs, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians.
The hostilities were triggered by a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last month that killed 26 tourists, an attack India blamed on Pakistan without presenting evidence.
