China, Russia to Promote Friendly India-Pakistan Relations

Russia and China, members to Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), have a long history of warm relations with India and Pakistan respectively, and will play an important role in promoting friendly relations between the two countries once they were accepted to the trade bloc, a source told Sputnik Monday.

On Friday, SCO countries comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, launched the process of acceptance to SCO of India and Pakistan, currently holding observer status in the organization.

“The presence of China, a traditional friend of Pakistan, and Russia, a traditional friend of India, will play role in influencing both the countries to promote friendly relations,” the source said, adding that by including India and Pakistan as members, the SCO “will promote peace and stability in the region.”

The source added that during a Friday meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in Ufa, India had raised an issue of terrorism and in particular the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
It was decided that the national security advisers of the two countries will meet soon.
“All issues, including Kashmir, were discussed: both [sides] agreed on roadmap to improve relations,” the source said.
The Jammu and Kashmir region is a subject of territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, marring relations between the two countries following the end of British rule in 1947. After four wars and a number of military conflicts, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire in 2003. The sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.



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