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Pak welcomes US-China statement on South Asia

November 19, 2009 00:12 IST

Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed 'the joint reiteration' by the United States and China to promote peace and stability in South Asia.

In a brief statement issued late on Wednesday evening, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit "welcomed the joint reiteration to promote peace, stability and security in South Asia".

Responding to a question on the issue, Basit "noted the reference made to South Asia in the US-China joint statement".

The statement did not give further details. President Barack Obama indicated on Tuesday that the US wants China to help improve relations between India and Pakistan. He reportedly raised the issue during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing.

The joint statement issued after their meeting quoted the two countries as saying that they welcomed all efforts 'conducive to peace, stability and development' in South Asia. They also supported the 'improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan'.

The US and China said in the joint statement that they are 'ready to strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to promote peace, stability and development in that region'.

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