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China renews call for restraint by India, Pakistan

Anil K Joseph in Beijing

For the second time in two days, China on Thursday said it was "deeply worried" by the growing tensions between India and Pakistan and renewed calls for restraint from both the countries.

"We hope that both India and Pakistan exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said.

"It is our hope that through dialogue and consultations they (India and Pakistan) handle the issue and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," she said.

China stuck to its position on the need for restraint by both the nations even after New Delhi said on Wednesday that the call for restraint should be directed at Pakistan.

"The Chinese side is deeply worried over the exchange of fire between India and Pakistan along their border," the spokeswoman said, and added that China was monitoring the situation.

The spokeswoman declined to say whether the proposed visit by Premier Zhu Rongji to India in mid-January, 2002, would take place as scheduled.

When asked specifically whether the current tensions between India and Pakistan would affect Zhu's proposed trip, Zhang sidestepped the question and went on to say that China and India were close neighbours.

PTI

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