India snubs China's offer for 'constructive role' in Kashmir

India on Thursday asserted that cross- border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was at the "heart" of the matter that was threatening regional peace and snubbed China for its offer to mediate to resolve the Kashmir issue, insisting it was a bilateral matter between it and Pakistan.

India's strong reaction came a day after the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China was willing to play a "constructive role" in improving Indo-Pak ties, especially after the increased hostility along the Line of Control (LoC).

He also said the situation in Kashmir has attracted "international" attention.

"At the heart of the matter is really the issue of cross- border terrorism perpetrated on India including on the people of the state of J&K. So, the matter is that cross-border terrorism in our region emanating from a particular source is threatening peace and stability in not only India but other neighbours," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters.

As far as the Kashmir issue itself is concerned, the government's position has been very consistent and clear, he asserted.

"We have been ready to have a dialogue with Pakistan on other issues (including) J&K in a bilateral framework. That position of addressing all issues with Pakistan including the Kashmir issue in a bilateral framework has not changed," Baglay said.

He also strongly rejected allegations by Pakistan that India was using chemical weapons in Kashmir, saying India is against the use of chemical weapon anywhere by anyone in any situation.

Baglay hit out at the Pakistan government for "reading" from Lashkar-e-Taiba's terror script in glorifying Hizbul militant Burhan Wani, who was killed by security forces in July last year.

Just two days ago, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that India and China are capable of managing the differences that crop up occasionally over the disputed border that runs 2,175 miles.

But the next day, China said that the border dispute this time "is different" and that India "illegally trespassed".

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Germany at the G-20 summit and talked informally "on a range of issues", said the Foreign Ministry which refused to confirm if the Sikkim confrontation was part of the discussion.

With no solution in sight in the continued stand-off between Indian and Chinese armies at the border, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will travel to Beijing later this month to attend a meeting of his counterparts from BRICS nations. The meeting of National Security Advisors of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is scheduled for July 27-28 in the Chinese capital.