China's Foreign Ministry on Monday made a statement asking India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.
"China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Beijing gave its support on Sunday to Pakistan's calls for an independent investigation into the recent attack on tourists in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.
'Kashmiri self-determination' at the core of conflict, says anthropologist
The "denial of Kashmiri self-determination" lies at the core of the conflict between India and Pakistan, Natasha Raheja, a political anthropologist at Cornell University told DW.
"At the core of this dispute is an ongoing struggle and denial of Kashmiri self-determination. This is a region that has been besieged by a history of colonial borders that were drawn in haste as well as hasty princely state accessions," she said, adding that there was an escalation of a "nationalist rhetoric" this time.
According to Raheja, both countries "have a history of leveraging their minoritized populations against each other."
"Kashmiri people are suffering and their voices are being overshadowed by the military showmanship at the border."
As for a solution to the conflict, Raheja believes it will be the people's own questioning of their borders which could lead to progress.
"People across borders must work together and they must question the work that these borders do."
India says Pakistan fired across border for fourth day
The Indian Army said in a statement their soldiers exchanged gunfire for the fourth night in a row on Monday as tensions remained high between New Delhi and Islamabad. No deaths were reported.
"During the night of April 27-28... Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control. Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively," the Indian army said in a statement.
Pakistan has not yet confirmed the gunfire.
India accused Pakistan of supporting militancy in the region after the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan has denied the claims, and called for an independent probe.
China's Foreign Minister Wang speaks to Pakistani Deputy PM Dar
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, expressing his support for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
"China advocates for a swift and fair investigation and believes that conflict does not serve the fundamental interests of either India or Pakistan, nor does it benefit regional peace and stability," Wang told Dar, reported China's Xinhua news agency.
He added that he hoped both sides would show restraint and work to de-escalate the situation.
Wang also spoke to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy about "India's false accusations, baseless propaganda and unilateral measures," said Pakistani newspaper Dawn.
He told Lammy that Pakistan was dedicated to promoting peace in the region.
US says it wants a 'responsible solution' to the escalation
The US State Department on Sunday said it was in touch with India and Pakistan, and wanted them to work towards a "responsible solution" as tensions stayed high between the two neighbors after the recent attack in Kashmir.
"This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels. The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution," a US State
Department spokesperson told Reuters news agency.
The US has expressed its support to India after the attack, for which New Delhi blames Pakistan. Islamabad has denied any responsibility and called for a neutral investigation.
India and Pakistan are both important strategic partners for the US amid China's rising influence.
