Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asserted that Beijing played a mediating role in several international disputes, including the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025. This claim comes despite India's consistent position that the conflict was resolved through direct bilateral military communication.
China's Assertion of Global Mediation
Speaking at the Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations in Beijing, Wang Yi stated that China had adopted an "objective and just stance" to build lasting peace. He argued that the world witnessed a surge in local wars and cross-border conflicts in 2025, more than any period since World War II.
Wang listed the tensions between Pakistan and India among the hotspots where China offered mediation. He cited this as part of a "Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues," which also included involvement in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the Cambodia-Thailand dispute.
India's Firm Rejection and Operation Sindoor Success
India has firmly and consistently dismissed any narrative of third-party mediation in the May conflict. The confrontation, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 innocent people, led to India's decisive Operation Sindoor from May 7 to 10.
The Indian Army, in a statement on Tuesday, highlighted the operation's significant achievements:
- Destruction of nine terrorist camps across the border; seven by the Army and two by the Indian Air Force.
- Neutralisation of more than a dozen terror launch pads along the Line of Control using ground-based weapons.
- Successful countering of all Pakistani drone threats by Indian air defence units, preventing any damage or casualties.
New Delhi maintains that the conflict concluded when Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart following heavy losses. A mutual agreement to cease all firing and military action on land, air, and sea was reached, effective May 10.
Allegations of Chinese Strategy and Scrutiny
Wang Yi's statement faces scrutiny given the serious allegations leveled against China's role during Operation Sindoor. Indian military officials had previously suggested that Beijing used the confrontation as a "live lab" for its strategies.
Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt General Rahul R Singh had accused China of employing its ancient "36 stratagems" military doctrine. He specifically referenced the tactic of "killing with a borrowed knife," implying alleged Chinese military support to Pakistan during the conflict. These charges underscore the deep-seated mistrust and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, making claims of impartial mediation contentious.
The juxtaposition of China's mediation narrative with India's account of a decisive military operation and bilateral resolution highlights the divergent perspectives shaping the regional power struggle.
