In a response to the Indian side's statement terming the airstrike as a preemptive move, the spokesperson said combating terrorism is a global issue and it requires cooperation between countries

New Delhi: The Chinese government has suggested India and Pakistan maintain good relations and communication in the wake of airstrikes carried out by Indian Air Force on terror facilities in Pakistan.

Asking the neighbouring countries to exercise restraint and take actions that will stabilise the region, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said good relations between India and Pakistan are conducive to peace and stability in South Asia.

“We hope that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and take actions that will help stabilise the situation in the region and help to improve mutual relations, instead of the other way around,” Shuang said.

In a response to Indian side's statement terming the airstrike as a preemptive move, the spokesperson said combating terrorism is a global issue and it requires cooperation between countries.

Nearly two weeks after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a CRPF vehicle that killed at least 40 security personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama, the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes on terror facilities in Pakistan's Balakot, Muzaffarabad, and Chakothi with the help of a squadron of 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets.

The Indian government termed it as a pre-emptive move, citing input from intelligence noting Jaish-e-Mohammed had been planning another attack on the lines of Pulwama. The JeM had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack.