The Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing is closely following the situation and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

“We strongly urge India and Pakistan to prioritize regional peace and stability, maintain calm and resume talks to resolve differences by peaceful means,” it said.

The statement added that China is willing to contribute constructively to reduce tensions and promote a lasting solution to the conflict.

“This corresponds not only to the mutual interest of India and Pakistan, but also to the stability of South Asia and the expectations of the international community,” the ministry said.

This Saturday, the Indian Defense Ministry warned that it has observed a displacement of Pakistani troops to forward areas, which it considered an offensive intention to further aggravate the situation.

The military body reported serious damage to the opposing side, in “effective and proportionate” response to an earlier attack by Pakistan on military infrastructure in civilian areas using unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter jets.

According to the latest official reports, Pakistan launched a military operation called “Iron Fence” in response to the Indian bombings early in the morning of May 10.

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