Pakistan foreign minister visits China after India ceasefire deal

Ishaq Dar's Beijing trip follows deadly Kashmir clashes and aims to bolster China ties.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrives for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah on August 7, 2024. Photo by Amer Hilabi/AFP

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

Pakistan’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, arrived in China on Monday for a three-day official visit, just days after Pakistan and India reached a tenuous ceasefire following their most serious armed confrontation in decades. The trip, announced on Sunday by Pakistan’s foreign office, is expected to focus on regional stability and deepening bilateral relations between Islamabad and Beijing.

Dar is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing to conduct “in-depth discussions on the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability,” according to a statement from his office. The talks come at a time of heightened tension between South Asia’s two nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The April assault, which killed 26 civilians, sparked accusations from New Delhi, which blamed Pakistan for supporting the militants it claims were responsible. Pakistan has firmly denied the allegations. The disputed region of Kashmir, long a flashpoint between the two countries, has once again pushed the subcontinent to the brink of conflict.

In response to the April 26 attack, India carried out what it described as precision strikes on “terrorist camps” within Pakistani territory. The operation triggered an intense exchange of drone, missile, and artillery fire lasting four days. By the time both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, over 70 people, including numerous civilians, had lost their lives in the crossfire.

China’s role as mediator and ally

As tensions escalated, the international community, including the United States and China, urged both sides to show restraint. While Beijing publicly called for peace and promised to play a “constructive role,” many analysts believe China’s support for Pakistan was more than rhetorical.

China has been a steadfast ally of Pakistan for decades, frequently providing economic and military assistance. This partnership has only deepened under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Ishaq Dar underscored the importance of this alliance during a session of parliament on May 7. Addressing lawmakers just hours after a major aerial skirmish, he revealed that Chinese military support had played a direct role in Pakistan’s defense.

“At 4 am in the morning, the whole Chinese team, led by their ambassador, was present at the foreign office,” Dar said. “We apprised them about all the developments taken place until that time, and they were very happy.” He also confirmed the use of Chinese fighter jets during the conflict, a significant disclosure that reflects the operational closeness between the two nations.

During Dar’s visit to China, both sides are expected to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-China relations, including economic cooperation, security collaboration, and global strategic alignment. Discussions are likely to touch on infrastructure investments under CPEC, debt restructuring talks, and new development loans to stabilize Pakistan’s fragile economy.

Beijing’s financial lifeline has become increasingly vital for Pakistan, especially amid ongoing IMF negotiations and currency pressures. In recent years, China has stepped in with emergency loans and deferred payments to help Pakistan manage its ballooning external debt.

At the same time, the foreign minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s interest in reaffirming its geopolitical alliances amid shifting global dynamics. With India cultivating closer ties to the United States and other Western powers, Pakistan’s strategic pivot towards China is a clear signal of its foreign policy priorities.

Ceasefire still holding, but fragile

The current ceasefire, brokered with the surprise involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump, appears to be holding over a week later. While Islamabad initially stated that the truce would last until Sunday, India has taken a more open-ended stance, with its army saying that there is no fixed expiration date for the agreement.

Despite the temporary calm, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. Kashmir continues to be a volatile issue, and both India and Pakistan retain hardened military postures along their border. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic efforts, another outbreak of violence cannot be ruled out.

Dar’s visit to China may not just be about reaffirming friendly ties—it could also be part of a larger strategy to secure Beijing’s backing in case of future disputes with India. China’s diplomatic influence in the region, coupled with its economic clout, positions it as a crucial player in managing South Asian stability.

As Pakistan’s foreign minister visits China amid one of the region’s most serious crises in recent memory, the trip highlights the growing interdependence between the two nations. Dar’s meetings in Beijing are likely to produce new statements of solidarity and further strategic coordination, especially with the broader regional implications of the Kashmir conflict in mind.

For now, the world watches closely as South Asia navigates a fragile peace. With Pakistan and India both recalibrating their diplomatic strategies and military defenses, China’s role as a power broker in the region is set to expand. Ishaq Dar’s presence in Beijing signals Islamabad’s intention to solidify that alliance at a time when the stakes for peace, and war, remain high.