Beijing to PM Modi: Don’t raise Pakistan terror issue at BRICS
Saibal Dasgupta| TNN | Updated: Sep 1, 2017, 13:03 IST
BEIJING: China on Thursday sent out a signal that it would object to any discussion about Pakistan's role in sheltering terrorists during the upcoming BRICS summit+ , which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi+ . China is worried Modi may raise the issue at the meeting because he did so at the Goa summit of BRICS last year while describing Pakistan as the "mother-ship of terrorism".
"We also noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS summit,"
Hua Chunying, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a briefing. She also indicated that raising the topic might affect the success of the summit because Chinese leaders may be forced to defend its close ally, Pakistan.
"The world is paying great attention to the BRICS summit. I hope relevant parties can work with China to ensure the success of the summit and make due contributions," Hua said. She meant the five members of BRICS including India when she mentioned "relevant parties".
This time the BRICS summit is taking place on September 3 in
Xiamen in China, which regards Pakistan as an "all-weather friend". India is in a stronger position to raise the issue because US president
Donald Trump recently accused Pakistan of sheltering terrorists and threatened to withdraw financial aid if Islamabad refuses to mend its ways. There are chances Chinese leaders might come to Pakistan's defence+ at the summit.
One of the main objectives of BRICS is to enhance cooperation between the five member countries in fighting against terrorism. But it is difficult for India to join hands in any meaningful manner unless Beijing adopts a different attitude on this issue when it comes to the role of Pakistan.
Hua said, "Pakistan is at forefront of counter terror efforts and has made sacrifices for this. The international community should recognize their contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan."
She added, "China is willing to work with Pakistan and other countries to enhance our cooperation in counterterrorism. This serves the common interest of all parties."China routinely refers to "sacrifices" made by Pakistan in battling terrorism but refuses to discuss flawed policies of Pakistani military and government that results in bloodshed across the country.
In an interesting twist, the hawkish Global Times indirectly blamed Islam for terrorism, and said India is mostly free from terrorism because it is largely a Hindu nation. Terrorism exists in an "arc" of Asian countries including Pakistan and
Philippines with significant Muslim presence, it said.
"There are tensions at various degrees at various junctions in this arc where it encounters other religions and ethnicity but a dent exists in the Indian portion of this arc," the paper said.
