ISLAMABAD - China has assured Pakistan that its efforts to improve ties with India will not affect the historical friendship between Islamabad and Beijing as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, officials here said.

Earlier, Modi and Jinping agreed to strengthen communications and maintain peace along the two countries' shared border at the end of a two-day informal summit held in Wuhan. A joint statement said: “The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in all areas of the India-China border region in the larger interest of the overall development of bilateral relations.”

The talks came after the two countries were locked in a tense 72-day military standoff in the disputed border region in the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. It was the latest tension between the nuclear armed neighbours in a long-running series of territorial flare-ups. In 1962, China and India engaged in a bloody border war and skirmishes have continued to break out sporadically in the decades since.

Other sore points between the two sides include China’s ardent backing of Pakistan, India's arch rival, and New Delhi’s sheltering of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader whom Beijing considers a separatist traitor. Senior officials at the foreign ministry told The Nation that China had contacted Pakistan after the Jinping-Modi talks and pledged not to ditch the ‘iron brother’ under any circumstances.

One official said: “We have trust in China. We have been friends for decades and agreements of peace with India cannot break our close ties. Pakistan acknowledges China’s sincerity. In fact, we are in favour of peace in the region.”

He added: “Pakistan and China have discussed Jinping’s talks with Modi. Even before the talks, we (Pakistan) were told that this (talks) will not affect Pakistan. It is good that India wants peace with China.”

This month, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved signing of A tripartite memorandum of understanding to conduct study on “International Transport Technology Standards and Specification Systems, especially in those countries along the ‘Belt and Road’ routes.

The MoU would be signed between National Transport Research Centre, Pakistan and China Highway and Transportation Society and Second Highway Consultants Co. China.

Also this month, the fifth round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-Proliferation was held in Beijing. “The consultations covered a broad range of issues related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, on which the two sides shared a commonality of perspectives,” a foreign ministry statement had said.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal said Chinese President Xi Jinping had termed Pakistan as the pillar for regional peace and stability. He said China was firmly behind Islamabad. “China has appreciated Pakistan's contribution in addressing the challenge of terrorism and also commended Pakistan's relentless efforts for working towards a peaceful neighbourhood,” Faisal said.

He said Jinping, at a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of Boao Forum in Sanya, China, had appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace. The spokesperson said the two sides exchanged comprehensive in-depth views on enhancing the bilateral cooperation.