Vikas Mehta

The Russian S-400 played a key role during Operation Sindoor, helping to bring Pakistan to its knees within three days.  However, Russia’s silence raised many questions about Putin’s policy, especially regarding India. China’s indifference towards India was reflected when it indirectly backed Pakistan. It is believed that China helped the Pakistan Air Force in networking and electronic warfare. Besides this, China had also provided PL-15 missiles to Pakistan which it had used against India. Now, the question is being raised China fully involved and cooperating with Pakistan in any future war against India? Will India have to face a two-front war? 

Russia’s silence raised speculation

The silence of Russia during India-Pakistan tensions has led many to speculate that Russia, which has been a friendly ally of India, may have come under the influence of China and chose to remain silent. India always took on Pakistan alone in all previous wars, except in 1971, when Russia backed India. On the other hand, China did not come forward in favour of Pakistan but helped the enemy through various means. 

China seems to have realised that Pakistan cannot defeat India alone.

Geo-political defense expert Prakash Nanda wrote in a report in the Eurasian Times that India has been confronting the challenges of a two-front war in its previous battles.  The two-front war includes covert support and direct involvement from adversaries. After Operation Sindoor, China seems to have realised that Pakistan cannot defeat India alone. So, China, which was secretly helping Pakistan through political,  diplomatic, and military means, may now be willing to openly join Pakistan in a war against India.

China had accused India and Russia of pursuing expansionist policies

Prakash Nanda wrote that after the 1962 war between India and China, Pakistan came close to dragons and it handed over a significant portion of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK),  Shaksgam Valley to China. Due to this, China directly reached close to Ladakh. During the 1965 war, China had threatened India with War for violating the border in Sikkim. In 1971, China opposed New Delhi’s stand and criticised Russia for backing India when the Bangladesh Liberation War was going on. China had accused India and Russia of pursuing expansionist policies. 

China termed India’s Airstrike against Pakistan “regrettable”

During Operation Sindoor, China termed India’s Airstrike against Pakistan “regrettable”. However, it did not directly back Pakistan, but its state media, Chinese newspapers, and Chinese social media users were kept busy in spreading propaganda against India. According to Chinese media, Pakistan was declared the winner, and its J10-C fighter jets were described as key players. It is expected that China will hand over its fifth-generation fighter jet, J-35A, to Pakistan in August. 

Pakistan alone accounted for around 63% of China’s total arms exports

Since 2015, China has sold weapons worth approximately $8.2 billion to Pakistan. According to The Eurasian Times, Pakistan alone accounted for around 63% of China’s total arms exports during this period. It includes tanks, fighter jets, air defence systems, and ammunition. Despite heavy business transactions in defence, China has never signed a “mutual defence treaty” with Pakistan like the United States does with NATO or Japan and South Korea. It reflects that China limits its strategic partnership to the border and maintains its image as pro-peace before the world.