ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China discussed security cooperation on Wednesday, agreeing to enhance intelligence sharing to address growing threats during a high-level meeting in Beijing, according to an official statement circulated by the interior ministry.
The two nations share concerns over militant violence, particularly due to attacks on Chinese nationals working on the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in various Pakistani cities. Such incidents have prompted Beijing to call for enhanced security measures.
Last year, several Chinese nationals lost their lives in deadly suicide bombings, the most recent of which occurred in October 2024, killing two Chinese engineers near Karachi airport just days before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the federal capital.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently accompanying President Asif Ali Zardari on a five-day visit to China, met with his Chinese counterpart, Qi Yanjun, in Beijing to discuss concrete measures to bolster security and strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
“The meeting focused on improving intelligence coordination between the two countries,” said the official Pakistani statement.
It noted that discussions included an exchange on modern technology for police and paramilitary forces, as well as a detailed discussion on acquiring advanced equipment from China for law enforcement agencies.
The talks further covered border security cooperation, including measures to safeguard key routes and infrastructure projects. Both sides expressed a commitment to deeper collaboration in law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts.
Beyond security cooperation, the two countries are also working to establish special economic zones and encourage private sector partnerships to deepen economic ties. The development of these zones is a key component of CPEC, aiming to boost industrialization and economic growth in Pakistan.
President Zardari also met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, to reaffirm the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
Both officials emphasized strategic mutual trust and discussed advancing CPEC’s high-quality development, focusing on cooperation in science and technology, renewable energy, infrastructure and agriculture.
Pakistan and China agree to boost intelligence sharing in high-level security talks in Beijing
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Pakistan and China agree to boost intelligence sharing in high-level security talks in Beijing
- Both nations share concerns over militant violence, particularly due to attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan
- The two countries also discuss border security and advancing high-quality development under CPEC projects
India’s rice stocks surge to record high as paddy procurement climbs
- The stockpiles may boost shipments, putting pressure on supplies from rivals such as Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan
- India, which accounts for about 40 percent of global rice exports, removed the last of its export curbs on the grain in March
MUMBAI: India’s rice inventories in government warehouses climbed nearly 12 percent from a year earlier to a record high for early December after state-run agencies stepped up procurement of the new-season paddy crop, government data showed.
The swelling stockpiles could allow the world’s biggest rice exporter to boost shipments, putting pressure on supplies from rivals such as Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.
State reserves of rice, including unmilled paddy, totalled a record 57.57 million metric tons as of December 1, far exceeding the government’s target of 7.61 million tons for January 1.
Wheat stocks stood at 29.14 million tons on December 1, up from last year’s 20.6 million tons, the data showed.
State-run agencies are being forced to buy large quantities from farmers as open-market prices remain below the government-set minimum support price, said a New Delhi based dealer with a global trade house.
“Despite the government buying heavily, traders still have plenty of stock for exports,” he said.
Since the start of the marketing year on October 1, the government has procured 42.2 million tons of paddy from farmers.
“Export demand isn’t very strong right now, but the weakening rupee is helping traders land deals at competitive prices,” said one Mumbai-based trader.
The Indian rupee dropped to a record low this month, enhancing returns for traders on overseas sales.
India, which accounts for about 40 percent of global rice exports, removed the last of its export curbs on the grain last March.
India’s rice exports in the first 10 months of 2025 jumped 37 percent from a year earlier to 18.49 million tons.
The Rice Exporters Association expects shipments from India to rise by nearly 25 percent from a year earlier to a record 22.5 million tons this year.
Alongside rice, wheat stocks are at comfortable levels this year, helping the government to manage food grain prices more effectively, the trader said.
