Islamabad:
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Islamabad this week to lead his country in the strategic dialogue in Pakistan-China and holds meetings with civilian and military leadership to discuss bilateral ties with the most important regional and international developments.
Official sources told The Express Pakinomist on Sunday that the top Chinese diplomat will take on a two-day visit beginning on August 21, flying directly from New Delhi, starting a crucial tour on Monday.
In Islamabad, the Chinese Foreign Minister will review the current state of bilateral ties between the two countries and discuss important regional and international developments.
His visit comes on the basis of a number of developments, including the India-Pakistani military conflict in May, the Iran-Israel war in June and the recent warming of ties between Pakistan and the United States.
China’s support played a key role in Pakistan’s victory over India during the four-day conflict. Although Beijing did not participate directly, Chinese J-10C fighters and PL-15 helped in addition to visual series of missiles (BVR) Pakistan shooting six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales.
China also expanded diplomatic support to Pakistan following the Pahagam attack and supported Islamabad’s call for a third-party study of the incident that brought the two nuclear armed neighbors to the brink of full-scale war.
Given the current geostrategic environment, both sides are expected to investigate ways to further elaborate on cooperation. Contacts between the two countries have increased significantly in recent months.
During Wang’s visit, the agenda for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming trip to China is also expected. The Prime Minister is likely to travel later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leadership.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Dhaka on August 23 in a trip twice exposed due to regional tensions. Dar was originally scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April, but the Pahagam attack and subsequently Pakistan-India Military escalation delayed the trip.
The upcoming visit highlights the constant improvement of the relationship between Pakistan-Bangladesh. Since Sheikh Hasina Wajid a year ago, the bond between the two countries has undergone a dramatic shift.
The former Awami League government maintained minimal engagement with Pakistan. However, the temporary government led by Professor Muhammad Younus moved to restore ties by lifting restrictions on Pakistani exports and diplomats and by starting direct sea trade.
DAR’s tour is part of the efforts to consolidate the approximation of formal conversations planned with his Bangladeshic counterpart and chief adviser Muhammad Younus.
Prior to the visit, trade minister Jam Kamal will be in Dhaka this week for discussions about trade and commercial ties.
It is expected that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will follow in September to attend the first Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission meeting of 20 years.
