India questions China over Operation Sindoor
- India publicly urged China to reflect on whether shielding Pakistan's terrorist infrastructure during Operation Sindoor damaged Beijing's international reputation, according to New Delhi statements. - House of Commons Library records strikes from May 6–10, 2025; Indian outlets claim Iran shifted aircraft to Pakistan after the April ceasefire. - Pakistan denied the reports, complicating its mediator role and tying Kashmir to wider China–Iran alignments. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
1/ Operation Sindoor background: In April-May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following a Kashmir-related attack. Strikes ran May 6-10, per UK House of Commons Library briefing. 2/ The operation escalated India-Pakistan tensions post an April ceasefire. Indian forces hit nine sites linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, groups blamed for cross-border attacks. Pakistan reported 31 civilian deaths; India claimed precision hits on militants. No ground invasion followed. 3/ Enter China: Reports emerged that Beijing helped Pakistan during the strikes. Satellite imagery and Indian intel alleged Chinese air defense systems, like HQ-9 missiles, were deployed to shield Pakistani bases. India says this included real-time data sharing. 4/ Iran angle: Indian media reported Tehran shifted fighter jets to Pakistani airfields after the April ceasefire, bolstering Islamabad's defenses. This ties into Iran-Pakistan military ties, including joint drills. Pakistan denied hosting foreign aircraft, calling claims "propaganda." 5/ India's response, May 2026: New Delhi publicly questioned China. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "China should reflect if protecting terrorist infrastructure enhances its global reputation." This followed US and UK reports echoing Indian claims. 6/ Why now? India's statement coincides with Beijing hosting a SCO summit. Critics in New Delhi argue China's "all-weather" Pakistan alliance undermines its peacemaker image on Kashmir. Pakistan's denial complicates its neutral mediator claims in regional talks. 7/ Broader context: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) invests $62B in infrastructure, making Pakistan vital to Belt and Road. India views this as encirclement, especially with China-India border clashes since 2020 Galwan. Iran adds Shia-Sunni dynamics via Chabahar port deals with India. 8/ Evidence breakdown: - UK Commons: Confirms strike dates, notes Chinese tech in Pak arsenal. - Indian sources: Cite ELINT intercepts of Chinese AWACS aiding Pak radars. - Denials: Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar said "no foreign support," no specifics. China silent officially. 9/ Implications for alignments: Ties Kashmir to China-Iran-Pakistan axis. India pushes Quad (US, Japan, Australia) for tech intel sharing. Pakistan seeks UNSC intervention on strikes. No major escalation since 2025, but rhetoric heats up. 10/ What's next? India monitors SCO outcomes this week. Beijing may respond via state media. Track US State Dept briefings for de-escalation signals. Full UK report details declassified intel by June 2026.
