BEIJING (Reuters) -China welcomes and supports efforts by Pakistan and India to handle their differences through dialogue and to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

China made a critical difference in the latest India-Pakistan conflict, says Imtiaz Gul, a Pakistani security analyst. "It took the Indian planners by sheer surprise. They didn't probably envision the depth of co-operation in the modern warfare between Pakistan and China," he said.

China has reaffirmed its steadfast backing of 'iron brother' Pakistan's sovereignty after the nuclear-armed nation endured over 80 hours of conflict with its longtime rival, India.Chinese