New Delhi: China on Wednesday backed improvement in relations between India and Pakistan and said that it was not seeking "selfish gains" in South Asia but was ready to play a "constructive role" in the development of the subcontinent.
"It (China) also welcomes and supports improvement of relations between India and Pakistan," Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is on a four-day visit, said in his address at the Vigyan Bhavan conference centre.
"China does not seek any selfish gains in South Asia and stands ready to play a constructive role in promoting peace and development in the subcontinent," he said.
Signalling China's interests in the region, Hu stressed that "a peaceful and prosperous South Asia served the common interests of China and all countries in the region."
"China welcomes political stability and economic prosperity of South Asia and harmonious coexistence and common development of countries in the region."
Hu also sounded enthusiastic about the decision of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to accept China as an observer and said that Beijing was ready to cooperate with the SAARC in various fields.
China's open expression of interest in South Asia may be viewed with some suspicion by India that is keeping a close watch on Beijing's expanded engagement with some countries in the region, especially Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Beijing's extensive support to Pakistan's missile and nuclear programme and the construction of a deepwater port in Gwadar in the northwest part of that country are issues of concern to New Delhi
Hu goes to Pakistan after wrapping up his visit on Thursday.
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