China says no third party role in Indo-Pak affairs

This file picture shows U.S. President Barack Obama with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, in Beijing. Recently India had opposed the suggestion of a third party role, which was mentioned in the U.S.-China joint statement, in Indo-Pak relations. Photo: Xinhua

China has conveyed to India that it has no intention of playing a broker in Indo-Pak relations and favours direct talks between them.

Beijing has communicated to New Delhi that it respects its stance that there was no role for any third party in mediation of Indo-Pak affairs, Indian government sources said.

China has said there is no change in its position that Indo-Pak relations are bilateral in nature, according to sources accompanying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his way to Washington.

India was annoyed when a China-U.S. joint statement, issued after talks between President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao in Beijing last week, made a mention of Indo-Pak relations.

India has made it clear that it is not ready to accept “guardianship” of anybody, whether China, the U.S. or any other country, even if mild-handed.

With regard to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq seeking to give China a role on Kashmir issue, the Indian government sources were dismissive, saying he was trying to find a place for himself and emerge as a “great mediator“.