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China's Mediation Claim in India-Pakistan Conflict Met With Skepticism

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman has expressed deep skepticism about China's recent claim that it mediated tensions between India and Pakistan following their military clashes in May. He argues China cannot be seen as a credible mediator by India due to its history of supplying weaponry to Pakistan, which was used in combat. The claim was made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who listed the India-Pakistan standoff among several global conflicts where Beijing played a mediating role. India has consistently dismissed any third-party involvement, stating the confrontation was resolved through direct military-to-military communication between the two nations.

Key Points: Analyst Questions China's Claim of Mediating India-Pakistan Conflict

  • China claims mediator role
  • Analyst cites weapon supplies to Pakistan
  • India rejects third-party mediation
  • Conflict resolved via direct military talks
3 min read

"Need to treat this claim with scepticism": South Asia analyst after China claims role in mediating India-Pak conflict

South Asia expert Michael Kugelman urges skepticism toward China's claim it mediated the India-Pakistan conflict, citing Beijing's military support for Pakistan.

"That would be like someone giving a match to someone else, and then helping that person put out the fire. - Michael Kugelman"

Washington, DC, January 1

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman said China's claim of mediating between India and Pakistan should be treated with scepticism.

He also said that Beijing cannot be seen as a credible mediator as it has supported Pakistan, including by supplying weapons used during the conflict.

In an interview with ANI, Kugelman on Wednesday said, "In recent years, it does seem that Beijing has sought to showcase its global clout by pointing to its desire and capacity to serve as a mediator in conflicts. For it to say that it was involved in the India-Pakistan conflict back in May, I am not sure how credible a claim that is."

"I can't imagine that China would be seen as a credible mediator by India. There is good reason to believe that China did supply weaponry to Pakistan that was used in combat against India. That would be like someone giving a match to someone else, and then helping that person put out the fire. We need to treat this claim with scepticism," he said.

After US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Washington stopped a potential war between India and Pakistan, China has now claimed that it mediated tensions between the two countries following their military clashes earlier this year.

Speaking at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday (local time) said Beijing had played a mediating role in several global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan standoff, the Chinese Foreign Ministry shared a statement on X.

"To build peace that lasts, we have taken an objective and just stance, and focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes. Following this Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues, we mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the tensions between Pakistan and India, the issues between Palestine and Israel, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand," Wang said.

Wang's remarks come months after India and Pakistan were locked in a brief but intense military confrontation in May, triggered by the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives.

India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India has consistently dismissed claims of any third-party mediation, maintaining that the four-day confrontation was resolved through direct military-to-military communication.

New Delhi has maintained that, inflicted by this heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and both sides agreed to stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from May 10.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
This is just China trying to project itself as a global power on par with the US. First Trump claimed credit, now China. The truth is our armed forces handled the situation with professionalism and restraint. No outside mediation was needed or sought. 🇮🇳
R
Rahul R
The match and fire analogy is spot on! China supplies weapons to Pakistan, some of which end up with terror groups targeting India, and then wants to play peacemaker? It's a joke. Their claim lacks any credibility.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the skepticism, and the historical bias is clear, isn't any channel for de-escalation worth something? Even if their role was minimal, if it helped prevent further loss of life in May, that's a positive. We should be critical but not dismiss every claim outright.
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Aditya G
Operation Sindoor showed our resolve. The DGMO hotline did the work. China inserting itself into the narrative is pure propaganda for their domestic and global audience. They want to be seen as the new responsible superpower, but their actions in our region tell a different story.
M
Meera T
It's frustrating. The world knows where China stands on Kashmir at the UN. They have consistently blocked designations of Pakistan-based terrorists. Their so-called "mediation" is just empty words. India's stance of bilateral resolution is the only credible path forward.

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