BEIJING: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is holding a series of high-stakes meetings in Beijing this week as Pakistan and China deepen their strategic partnership against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, particularly the military standoff with India.
At the center of the visit is the Fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, where Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reaffirmed the “ironclad” friendship and vowed to upgrade bilateral cooperation under CPEC Phase-II and beyond.
Both leaders expressed strong alignment on regional issues and pledged coordinated efforts for peace, development, and strategic stability in South Asia.
In the wake of the recent cross-border hostilities — including Indian air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir and Pakistan’s downing of five Indian fighter jets — the visit has taken on added urgency.
Dar and Wang discussed the rapidly evolving situation in Kashmir and the broader region. China reiterated its support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while both sides rejected unilateral actions that destabilize regional peace.
Dar’s engagements in Beijing are wide-ranging. In meetings with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, discussions focused on economic revitalization, Chinese investments, and long-term strategic planning. With Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, the Deputy PM reviewed Pakistan’s financial outlook, including measures to stabilize macroeconomic conditions and improve investor confidence.
The DPM also met with Minister Liu Jianchao of the Communist Party’s International Department, where they emphasized strengthening party-to-party ties to support broader bilateral relations.
In another meeting with SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to regional security, counterterrorism cooperation, and multilateral economic integration.
In a separate gesture of solidarity, Dar met the leadership of China’s Gezhouba Group to offer condolences over the recent killing of Chinese workers in Shangla. He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to ensure maximum protection for all Chinese personnel and ongoing projects.
The talks have also centered on advancing CPEC 2.0, with both countries agreeing to accelerate work on infrastructure, energy, and industrial cooperation zones. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, China’s top diplomat in Islamabad, also joined the discussions to assess progress and coordinate next steps for joint development efforts.
Throughout the visit, Dar has emphasized that Pakistan-China ties are not merely transactional but deeply strategic, grounded in shared geopolitical interests and a vision for regional stability. He noted that in just the past three weeks, he held two phone calls with Wang Yi to address unfolding events, including India’s baseless accusations regarding the Pahalgam attack and threats involving nuclear facilities.
The Foreign Office earlier confirmed that Dar’s visit is part of a broader diplomatic initiative to galvanize international support and counter India’s narrative following last week’s flare-up. Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping in earlier statements, have reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s stance and called for restraint and diplomacy.
Dar’s visit is ongoing, with more high-level meetings scheduled. His agenda reflects a dual track: defending Pakistan’s regional position while expanding cooperation with its most vital strategic partner.
