China’s Role in the India-Pakistan Clash

On April 22, 2025, gunmen in the town of Pahalgam, located in the disputed region of Kashmir, killed 26 people—mostly Indian tourists. A four-day military clash between India and Pakistan ensued, bringing both countries to the brink of a full-blown war, before a ceasefire was reached on May 10, 2025. 

During the India-Pakistan clashes, Beijing urged both sides to deescalate and called for a “political settlement through peaceful means.” But China did not play a neutral role in the conflict. Consistent with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s purported statement to his Pakistani counterpart that “China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests,” China reportedly provided intelligence, satellite equipment, and other forms of support to Pakistan before and during the clashes.

To analyze China’s role in the conflict, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Andrew Small. Andrew is a senior transatlantic fellow with GMF’s Indo-Pacific program, and author of two books on China, including “The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics,” which is now ten years old, but remains an insightful and relevant study.

Timestamps

[00:00] Start

[01:46] China’s Diplomatic Response to the India-Pakistan Clashes

[05:58] Beijing’s Offer of Playing a “Constructive Role”

[10:56] A Testing Ground for Chinese Weaponry and Equipment

[14:03] China’s Cautious Approach to Sino-Indian Relations

[18:10] Military Support and the Sino-Pakistan Relationship

[23:44] Implications for Chinese Arms Exports

[26:27] Indian and Pakistani Assessments of Chinese Involvement

[30:06] Influence of US-China Rivalry on India-Pakistan Relations