ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China will strengthen coordination on the Iran situation as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Beijing on a one-day official visit, China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the two sides would strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and make new efforts to advocate peace.
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic outreach aimed at ending the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Islamabad recently hosted foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt and has been relaying messages between Washington and Tehran as part of efforts to reduce tensions.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan and China enjoy an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” marked by close coordination and regular consultations on regional and international issues. Dar’s visit, his second to China this year, will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions on bilateral ties as well as regional and global matters.
The ministry said Dar proceeded with the visit despite medical advice to rest after suffering a hairline shoulder fracture, underscoring the importance Pakistan attaches to its relationship with China.
Analysts say China is being viewed as a potential guarantor in any future talks between Iran and the United States. Washington-based scholar Vali Nasr said Iran has sought guarantees in any possible agreement with the US, while Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, described China’s role at the current stage as “very important”.
On Sunday, Dar said a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt had called for an immediate and permanent end to the ongoing Middle East conflict during talks held in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump was reported to be willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to media reports citing US officials.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has affected the wider Middle East and disrupted global energy markets, as Iran’s effective blockade of oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has caused economic repercussions worldwide.