China-Pak ties during Operation Sindoor exposed, India says 'we already knew'
India on Tuesday said reports that China supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor only “corroborate what was known earlier,” and urged Beijing to reflect on the consequences of backing terror-linked infrastructure.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen reports that corroborate what was known earlier."
Operation Sindoor was a “precise, targeted, and calibrated response” to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, aimed at dismantling state-sponsored terror bases operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“In retaliation for the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor, destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK,” he said.
Jaiswal added that countries claiming to be responsible global actors should consider whether shielding or assisting terrorist networks damages their international standing.
Operation Sindoor anniversary
India’s remarks come days after the country marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The mission was described by officials as an 88-hour, multi-domain military campaign that significantly altered strategic equations in the region.
China acknowledges support for Pakistan
Last week, China publicly acknowledged for the first time that it had provided on-ground technical assistance to Pakistan during the four-day military conflict with India in May last year, according to Chinese state media.
China Central Television (CCTV) aired an interview with Zhang Heng, an engineer associated with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) unit that develops advanced fighter aircraft and drones.
According to reports, Zhang said his team’s mission was to ensure Chinese military platforms in Pakistan performed at “full combat potential.”
Chinese weapons in Pakistan arsenal
Pakistan’s air force operates Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets built by an AVIC subsidiary.
In July 2025, the Indian Army said 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware was of Chinese origin, describing Pakistan as a “live lab” for Chinese weapons testing.
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China sold arms worth $8.2 billion to Pakistan since 2015.
Between 2020 and 2024, China was the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, with 63 per cent of its exports going to Pakistan, making Islamabad Beijing’s largest arms client.
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