Beijing, Aug 22: China on Wednesday said it was willing to play a "constructive" role in improving ties between India and Pakistan and hailed the outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his new Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to improve bilateral relations.

However, Beijing did not specify what it meant by "constructive" role. "We welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving the bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.

"As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue and increase mutual trust and properly handle and solve their difference. And we hope that they can jointly stay committed to the regional peace and development. China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," Lu added.

Asked what he meant by China playing a "constructive" role, he said: "I just said we are glad to see the positive remarks by India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all the efforts that are conducive to the improvement of their relations and peace as well as stability in the region. We welcome that and we will play the constructive role in this respect."

Questioned further if by "constructive role" he meant mediation, Lu said: "I cannot give a pre-judgment or in what aspect, what area, what we will do." Modi wrote a letter to Imran Khan on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister stating the need to build "good neighbourly relations" and pursue "meaningful and constructive engagement" for the benefit of the region.

Modi also emphasised the need to make the Indian subcontinent "free of terror and violence". In an apparent response to Modi's letter, Khan tweeted: "To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir."

Earlier, Khan had said that if India took one step, Pakistan would take two steps. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the terrorist attacks at an Indian Army base in 2016.

China has publicly maintained neutrality over the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, but its state media has often suggested that Beijing can play a role between the arch-rivals. In June, Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui suggested a China-India-Pakistan trilateral meet. The idea was junked by New Delhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2018 03:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).