Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday expressed his hope that India and Pakistan will remain calm and restrained, properly handle their differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating the situation.

When talking to India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over the phone, Wang said China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and meets the common aspiration of the international community.

Wang also said that China condemns the terrorist attacks in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir, and opposes all forms of terrorism.

Noting that the world is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, Wang said peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished, adding that India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away, and that they are both neighbours of China.

War is not the choice of the Indian side and is not in the interests of either side, Doval said, adding that both India and Pakistan would be committed to a ceasefire and looking forward to restoring regional peace and stability as soon as possible. (Xinhua)