Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s three-day visit to China is expected to highlight both nations’ growing enthusiasm for deepening defence and security cooperation, according to analysts.

However, as Dar’s first overseas trip since the military tensions with neighbouring power India, the visit was likely to be viewed by New Delhi as a show of support for Islamabad – even though it was probably arranged well before the conflict, they added.

Lin Minwang, a professor and deputy director at Fudan University’s Centre of South Asia Studies, said Beijing and Islamabad were likely to seek closer defence ties.

“Following the skirmishes and the unexpected success of Pakistan’s Chinese-made fighter jets and missiles, both nations are likely to show heightened enthusiasm and initiative to deepen their military and defence collaboration,” he said.