Xi Jinping, Imran Khan discuss cooperation areas, India

China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and fighting terrorism, President Xi Jinping and Pakistani PM Imran Khan agreed to carry forward the “in-depth” development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. It’s a flagship project under Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which passes through Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Xi met Khan in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People on Sunday, Xi said China is willing to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and expand cooperation in fields such as technology, industry and agriculture. “China and Pakistan should carry forward the tradition of mutual trust, mutual assistance and cooperation, and carry out more extensive and in-depth strategic cooperation,” Xi was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.

Khan, according to the APP report, told Xi that India’s “rapid militarisation” was undermining regional stability, and complained about the “persecution of minorities in India”. “PM Imran underlined that the partnership between Pakistan and China was an anchor for peace and stability in the region, and thanked China for its unwavering support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national development,” the report said.Khan had similarly complained about New Delhi to Premier Li Keqiang when the two met on Saturday.