China Claims Role in India-Pakistan Talks; India Describes Remark as ‘Bizarre’ Impact-focused:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday claimed that Beijing “mediated” tensions between India and Pakistan this year, a statement that sources familiar with the matter described as “bizarre,” noting that China played no role in ending the May standoff.

The claim comes against the backdrop of heightened India-Pakistan tensions in May, following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam valley on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

China’s claim of mediation

Speaking at the “Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations” in Beijing, Wang Yi said:

“This year, local wars and cross-border conflicts flared up more often than at any time since the end of World War II. Geopolitical turbulence continued to spread.”

He added that, following China’s approach to resolving hotspot issues, the country had mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, tensions between Pakistan and India, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

China’s role during the India-Pakistan standoff has been under scrutiny. Earlier reports suggested that Beijing provided Islamabad with real-time surveillance inputs and other support during the confrontation. China also supplies more than 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware, and Indian officials have said that the May standoff provided China an opportunity to showcase its weapon systems.

Indian response

While India has not issued an official response to Wang Yi’s remarks, sources in New Delhi told HT that China had no role in ending the conflict. The ceasefire on May 10, they said, resulted solely from discussions between senior military officials from India and Pakistan.

“The claim by the Chinese side is bizarre,” one source said. Another noted that India has consistently maintained there is no room for third-party involvement in India-Pakistan matters.

A second source added, “Perhaps the Chinese side is following in the footsteps of the US,” referencing similar claims by former US President Donald Trump about mediating between India and Pakistan—claims India has also dismissed.