Kathmandu, May 20: Amid rising tensions following India’s Operation Sindur, China has pledged to play a constructive role in facilitating a permanent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The announcement comes during the ongoing visit of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to Beijing.

This is Dar’s first high-level diplomatic visit since the recent cross-border clashes, which ended in a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of fighting. China has called both India and Pakistan “important neighbors” and emphasized the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to staying in contact with both nations. “China wants relations with neighboring countries to be based on harmony, mutual benefit and a shared future,” she stated.

While Mao reiterated China’s status as a “permanent ally” of Pakistan, she avoided commenting on India’s demand for an investigation into China’s alleged support to Pakistan during the conflict.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports from 2020 to 2024 came from China — a figure that continues to raise strategic concerns in India.

China’s offer to mediate reflects its growing involvement in South Asian geopolitics and its interest in preventing further escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors.