Pakistan’s deputy PM heads to China for strategic consultations after India clash

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has departed for Beijing on a three-day official visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 19.

The visit takes place amid heightened diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and China, following ongoing tensions with India after the recent standoff linked to the Pahalgam incident, Caliber.Az reports, citing Pakistani media.

Discussions during the forthcoming meetings are expected to cover a range of bilateral and regional issues.

In Beijing, the Deputy Prime Minister will hold extensive talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as other senior Chinese officials, including key members of the Chinese Communist Party. The meetings will focus on recent regional developments and the multifaceted Pakistan-China relationship.

The ministry emphasised that the visit forms part of ongoing high-level exchanges and reflects the continued strength of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two brotherly nations. In a prior statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Deputy Prime Minister Dar was invited by his Chinese counterpart, Wang.

Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is also scheduled to arrive in China on May 20 to participate in a trilateral meeting involving the leaders of the three countries.

During the recent escalation with India, China expressed its support for Pakistan, with the Chinese ambassador reaffirming the “enduring and time-tested friendship between China and Pakistan,” describing the relationship as one of “ironclad brothers” who have consistently supported each other in challenging times.

The Pakistan Armed Forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military operation, named "Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos," targeting several Indian military positions across multiple regions.

The strikes, described by officials as "precise and proportionate," were carried out in response to India’s continued aggression along the Line of Control (LoC) and within Pakistani territory, which New Delhi claimed were aimed at “terrorist targets.”

Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, as well as dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the conflict, provoked by India, ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total of 53 individuals, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians, were killed in Indian strikes during the recent military confrontation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev