China on Tuesday declined to say whether its commitment to back India's push for a stronger United Nations effort to crack down on international financing of terrorism would impact its "all-weather" ally Pakistan.
On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj described as "a big achievement" a joint commitment by India, China and Russia, following the 13th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers in Beijing, to push for an early conclusion on long-pending negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
The three countries pledged to work together - at India's urging - to do more to crack down on both organisers and financers of terror, a reference seen as part of India's effort to bring more global pressure on Pakistan.
China has in the past been sensitive to Pakistani concerns on the issue, and voiced strong backing for its counter terrorism efforts even as Beijing has been urging Islamabad to target Uighur separatist groups believed to have organised recent attacks in western China's Xinjiang region.
Asked if the declaration on terror would have any bearing on China's relations with Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei declined to answer directly, only saying that the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China had on Monday an "in-depth exchange of views on issues of common interest, including cracking down on terrorism".
"On this issue," he added, "China's stance is consistent and clear. We are willing to carry out cooperation with the international community under principles and purposes of the UN charter and other basic norms governing international relations to safeguard peace, stability, and security of the whole world. Efforts made by China, Russia and India are all serving this purpose."
The 13th joint communique also went further than the 12th in expressing support for India's aspirations for a seat on the UN Security Council. While the previous statement only spoke generally of UN reforms, Monday's said Russia and China "supported [India's] aspiration to play a greater role" in the UN.
China is, however, far from likely to fully endorse India's bid, and has expressed particular concern about India tying its campaign to the G4 group of nations including Japan, Brazil and Germany. China has said it can never support a Japanese seat on the body.
Asked about the communique's reference on the UNSC, Hong said China was "willing to make concerted efforts with all relevant parties to reach the broadest consensus on the package of solutions relating to reform of the UNSC through democratic consultation".
He reiterated China's official position that China "understands and supports India's aspirations to playing a bigger role in multilateral institutions including the UN."
"China and India are major developing countries," he said. "Both of us support the enhancement and authority of UN Security Council reforms and increasing representation of developing countries."
"The Chinese side," he added, "attaches great importance to status of India as a major developing country in international affairs."
China silent on whether terror statement will impact Pakistan
On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj described as "a big achievement" a joint commitment by India, China and Russia, following the 13th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers in Beijing, to push for an early conclusion on long-pending negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
The three countries pledged to work together - at India's urging - to do more to crack down on both organisers and financers of terror, a reference seen as part of India's effort to bring more global pressure on Pakistan.
China has in the past been sensitive to Pakistani concerns on the issue, and voiced strong backing for its counter terrorism efforts even as Beijing has been urging Islamabad to target Uighur separatist groups believed to have organised recent attacks in western China's Xinjiang region.
Asked if the declaration on terror would have any bearing on China's relations with Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei declined to answer directly, only saying that the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China had on Monday an "in-depth exchange of views on issues of common interest, including cracking down on terrorism".
"On this issue," he added, "China's stance is consistent and clear. We are willing to carry out cooperation with the international community under principles and purposes of the UN charter and other basic norms governing international relations to safeguard peace, stability, and security of the whole world. Efforts made by China, Russia and India are all serving this purpose."
The 13th joint communique also went further than the 12th in expressing support for India's aspirations for a seat on the UN Security Council. While the previous statement only spoke generally of UN reforms, Monday's said Russia and China "supported [India's] aspiration to play a greater role" in the UN.
China is, however, far from likely to fully endorse India's bid, and has expressed particular concern about India tying its campaign to the G4 group of nations including Japan, Brazil and Germany. China has said it can never support a Japanese seat on the body.
Asked about the communique's reference on the UNSC, Hong said China was "willing to make concerted efforts with all relevant parties to reach the broadest consensus on the package of solutions relating to reform of the UNSC through democratic consultation".
He reiterated China's official position that China "understands and supports India's aspirations to playing a bigger role in multilateral institutions including the UN."
"China and India are major developing countries," he said. "Both of us support the enhancement and authority of UN Security Council reforms and increasing representation of developing countries."
"The Chinese side," he added, "attaches great importance to status of India as a major developing country in international affairs."
China silent on whether terror statement will impact Pakistan
