This Article is From Dec 26, 2015

China Welcomes PM Modi-Nawaz Sharif Meeting

China Welcomes PM Modi-Nawaz Sharif Meeting

On his way back from Afghanistan Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nawaz Sharif at the latter's residence.

Beijing: China today welcomed the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakstani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, saying it will help promote peace in South Asia.

"The Chinese side welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.

On Friday, PM Modi stopped in Pakistan on his way to New Delhi from a visit to Afghanistan. During PM Modi's surprise visit, the two prime ministers met at Mr Sharif's residence.

It was PM Modi's first visit to Pakistan and the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than a decade. Narendra Modi is the fourth Indian prime minister to visit Pakistan while 10 out of 14 Indian Prime Ministers have never been to Pakistan.

The other Indian Prime Ministers who have visited Pakistan are Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a newspaper said.

Mr Lu said Pakistan and India were important countries in South Asia, and the improvement of their relationship would be significant to regional peace, stability and development.

"As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue," said the spokesman.
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