China on Tuesday said it has reached 'consensus' with Russia to persuade India and Pakistan to peacefully resolve their disputes and reduce tension in South Asia.
"The two sides (have) agreed to devote themselves to reducing tension in South Asia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters.
"I believe that the regional issues also figured within the scope of exchange of views between China and Russia and they have had consensus on this issue," Kong said.
The tension in South Asia figured during the Sino-Russian Foreign Ministry-level consultations here on February 28.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Guchan and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov had discussed the military stand-off between New Delhi and Islamabad at the Sino-Russian Foreign Ministry level consultations. Following the consultations, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had a telephonic conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Abdul Sattar.
Kong reiterated China's position on the Indo-Pak tensions by urging both sides to resolve their differences peacefully through consultations.
"I have stated our position on various occasions. Our position is that India and Pakistan can maintain calm and find a peaceful solution to their disputes through consultations," Kong said.
Kong also said China and Russia were holding their foreign ministry-level strategic dialogue today in Beijing which will include the subject of non-proliferation. Bureau Report