China has condemned the Pahalgam attack and expressed firm opposition to all forms of terrorism, stated the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. While addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Jiakun expressed sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. He was questioned about the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir. To this, Jiakun emphasised that China has noted the reports and strongly condemns the attack. He cleared China’s stance on the attack and further assured opposition to “all forms of terrorism.”
Jiakun stated, “China noted the reports. We strongly condemn the attack. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism. We mourn for the lives lost and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.”
Falls Short Of Calling It A Terrorist Act
While China condemned the Pahalgam incident and mourned the loss of lives, it fell short of labelling it as ‘terrorist’ attack, unlike other world leaders who clearly called it a “terrorist’ attack.
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Vice President JD Vance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other leaders in their condemnation had clearly labelled the Pahalgam incident as a terrorist attack.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong wrote on X, “Shocked by the attack… Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms.”
Pahalgam Terror Attack
26 people were killed and several others injured in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. A high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting was held to review the overall security situation, with focus on Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours. The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and others.
Measures Taken By CCS
Following the CCS meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs briefed about the measures taken by the CCS acknowledging the seriousness of the terrorist attack.
(i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
(ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025.
(iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.
(iv) T he Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.
(v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025.
