The day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi branded Pakistan a "mother-ship of terrorism", China sprang to long-time ally Pakistan's defence.


Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, when asked about PM Modi's comments, said China is against "the linking of terrorism to any specific country, ethnicity or religion."


"Everyone knows that India and Pakistan are victims of terrorism. Pakistan has made huge efforts and great sacrifices in fighting terrorism. I think the international community should respect this," the spokesperson added.


The PM's comment was made in Goa to the leaders of BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - as part of his government's diplomatic drive to isolate Pakistan after the September 18 attack on an army base in Uri in Kashmir in which 19 soldiers were killed.China and Pakistan consider each other "all-weather friends" and have close diplomatic, economic and security ties.


Despite counties like the US and Russia supporting India's decision to carry out surgical strikes in Pakistan last month, China, which is building a $46 billion export corridor through Pakistan and parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to the Arabian Sea coast, has been cautious in its comments.


PM Modi met one-on-one with President Xi Jinping in Goa, but China remains adamant on two issues crucial for India: China has not softened its stand against India entering the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group; it is also still blocking India's request for a UN ban on Masood Azhar, who heads terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.