New Delhi shatters China’s hope of mediating in India-Pakistan issues; says no scope for involvement of 3rd country

New Delhi, June 19: Shattering China’s hope of mediation in India and Pakistan’s bilateral issues, New Delhi on Monday clearly stated that India says matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature, no scope for involvement of 3rd country matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature and have no scope for involvement of any third country.

 

The statement from Indian External Affairs Ministry comes hours after Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui endorsed a trilateral cooperation among India, China and Pakistan and said that Beijing could help resolve bilateral issues between New Delhi and Islamabad and help maintain peace.

In response to queries on the comments made by the Chinese ambassador to India, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that New Delhi had not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government.

"We have seen reports on comments made by the Chinese Ambassador in this matter. We have not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government. We consider the statement as the personal opinion of the ambassador. Matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature and have no scope for an involvement of any third country," Raveesh Kumar added

BACKGROUND:

Earlier in the day, while delivering a speech on 'Beyond Wuhan - How far and fast can China-India relations go' at an event organised by the Chinese embassy, envoy Luo Zhaohui said that "some Indian friends" had suggested a trilateral summit comprising India, China and Pakistan, which was a very constructive idea. "This is a proposal suggested by some Indian friends and it is a very a good and constructive idea. Maybe not now, but in the future, that is a great idea," Luo added.

We need to control, manage, narrow differences through expanding cooperation. The boundary question was left over by history. We need to find a mutually acceptable solution through Special Representatives' Meeting while adopting confidence-building measures," he said. "We cannot stand another Doklam (sic)," the Chinese envoy said.