CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE CRITICISM OF INDIA ACCUSING PAKISTAN OF TERRORISM AND ASSERTION ON KASHMIR

Writing in the Global Times on October 10, 2017, Long Xingchun, a senior research fellow at The Charhar Institute and Director of the Center for Indian Studies at China West Normal University, referred to EAM Sushma Swaraj's comment at the 72nd UN General Assembly, saying that Islamabad had given the world "terrorists" while New Delhi was producing top-notch doctors and engineers, and said "Swaraj's speech will only lead to deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, and is not conducive to improving the security situation in Kashmir". In the article Long Xingchun said "It is inappropriate for Swaraj to connect terrorism with Pakistan" adding that "A global consensus has emerged that terrorism should not be linked to nationality or religion. For example, Al Qaeda has bases in Afghanistan, however, countries including the US do not term Afghanistan a terrorist country. Besides, some so-called terrorist organizations, listed by India, also launched attacks in Pakistan and are targeted by Islamabad". The article bluntly stated "When India criticizes the world of double standards on terrorism, it has itself long supported separatist groups in Pakistan's Balochistan Province who launch terror attacks in the country. The existence of anti-India militant groups in Kashmir over a long time has been due to the dispute over ownership of the region. Based on the Mountbatten Plan which proposed the partition of India, Kashmir as a Muslim-majority region should have belonged to Pakistan. However, Maharajas there were Hindus and willing to join India instead of Pakistan, triggering two large-scale wars between the two countries. This divided Kashmir into two separately governed regions along the Kashmir ceasefire line known as the Line of Control (LoC).Subsequently, Muslim militant groups emerged in Kashmir, aiming at joining Pakistan or setting up their own countries. These groups, receiving support from Pakistan, frequently launched attacks on India. India labelled these groups terrorist organizations while Pakistan regarded them as comprised of freedom fighters. Countries like the US holding a neutral stance on the ownership of Kashmir call these groups military groups or militants". Long Xongchun also said that "After the 9/11 attacks, out of the need for India's cooperation on anti-terrorism, the US pressured Pakistan to withdraw its support for Kashmir's anti-India militant groups, some of which were listed as terrorist organizations by Washington. Nevertheless, these organizations are not directly controlled by the Pakistani government, and do not stop their attacks on India. Actually, most attacks targeting India are not carried out by anti-India militant groups in Kashmir, but Maoists and the separatist forces in Northeast India are behind most assaults". The article concluded that "Attacks on India launched by militant groups in Kashmir won't end until the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan is resolved". It said "China has remained neutral on the Kashmir issue, hoping that the two can peacefully solve their disputes. China can play a constructive role if the two require its help. Otherwise, China would not get involved".





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