A Chinese and a Pakistani soldier at a joint drill. (Photo : Sina)
In no uncertain terms, China has said it will militarily support Pakistan in the event of foreign aggression against its "iron brother."
The stark warning directed against India comes against the backdrop of dangerous tensions along the Line of Control separating Pakistan from Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sept.21 at the UN General Assembly demanded an independent probe into what he called "the extra-judicial killings" and "atrocities" in Kashmir committed by India against the Muslim-majority Kashmiris and to punish those responsible.
Three days previously, a suicide squad of four Kashmiri "fedayeen" penetrated an Indian Army base at the town of Uri in Kashmir and launched a gun and grenade attack that killed 18 soldiers. All four attackers were later killed.
It was the largest loss of life suffered by the Indian Army in a single attack in two years in Muslim-majority Kashmir. It occurred despite the Army being on its toes with the activation of Operation Calm Down the week before.
India accused Pakistan of being responsible for the Uri attack, an allegation Pakistan denied.
China's staunch expression of support was followed by a statement supporting Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir dispute.
"In case of any (foreign) aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan," said Yu Boren China's Consul General in Lahore.
Yu also said China will continue supporting Pakistan through thick and thin. Beijing relayed the message during a meeting of its top diplomat in Lahore with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
"We're and will be siding with Pakistan on Kashmir issue ...There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in ... (India-) held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris," said a Chinese statement.
On the other hand, the United States has come down on the side of India in this argument. The U.S. said it is committed to a "strong partnership" with India to combat terrorism in a statement following the Uti assault.
"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on an Indian Army base in Kashmir during the early morning of September 18," said State Department spokesman John Kirby.
