China’s assertion that it mediated tensions between India and Pakistan during the May 2025 military standoff has triggered strong reactions in New Delhi, with Indian officials privately dismissing the claim as “bizarre” and factually incorrect.
The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations in Beijing, where he listed India-Pakistan tensions among several global conflicts allegedly “mediated” by China this year.
What China Claimed
Speaking at the symposium, Wang Yi stated that China had played a role in resolving multiple geopolitical flashpoints in 2025, including:
- Northern Myanmar
- The Iranian nuclear issue
- Palestine-Israel conflict
- Cambodia-Thailand tensions
- India-Pakistan military standoff
The statement immediately drew scrutiny, particularly in India, where officials maintain that no third party was involved in de-escalating the conflict.
Background: The May 2025 Standoff
India and Pakistan were locked in an intense military confrontation in May following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam valley on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
According to officials familiar with the developments:
- The ceasefire on May 10 was achieved solely through direct communication between senior military officials of India and Pakistan.
- No diplomatic or mediation role was played by China—or any other external power.
India’s Firm Position on Third-Party Mediation
While New Delhi has not issued an official public response to Wang Yi’s remarks, people aware of internal discussions reiterated India’s long-standing policy:
“There is no room for third-party involvement in matters between India and Pakistan.”
One official described China’s claim as “bizarre,” underlining that India has consistently rejected external mediation, including similar claims made earlier by former US President Donald Trump.
China’s Role Under the Lens
China’s involvement during the standoff has been controversial. Multiple defence and intelligence assessments have indicated that:
- Over 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware is sourced from China
- Beijing allegedly provided real-time surveillance inputs to Pakistan during the conflict
- Indian officials believe China used the confrontation to test and showcase its weapons systems
These factors have raised questions about China’s neutrality and the credibility of its mediation claims.
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Strategic Messaging or Diplomatic Overreach?
Analysts view China’s statement less as a reflection of ground reality and more as part of a broader attempt to project Beijing as a global peacemaker amid rising geopolitical instability.
However, Indian officials remain unequivocal:
The de-escalation in May was a bilateral military decision, not a diplomatically brokered outcome.
As New Delhi continues to emphasize strategic autonomy and bilateral resolution of disputes, China’s mediation narrative appears unlikely to gain traction within India’s diplomatic establishment.
