China Claims Mediation Role in India–Pakistan Tensions; India Firmly Rejects Third-Party Involvement
After the United States, China has now sought to claim credit for having acted as a “mediator” in easing tensions between India and Pakistan. Beijing on Tuesday asserted that it played a role in reducing hostilities between the two countries earlier this year, months after a military confrontation between the neighbors in May 2025.
The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a discussion in Beijing on the international situation and China’s foreign relations. Speaking at the event, Wang said the world is witnessing a sharp rise in conflicts and instability. He noted that local wars and cross-border conflicts have increased to levels unseen since the end of the Second World War, and that geopolitical uncertainty is spreading across regions.
China’s Mediation Claim, India’s Strong Response
Among the sensitive issues where China claims to have played a mediating role, Beijing included tensions between India and Pakistan. India has consistently maintained that the conflict between May 7 and May 10 was resolved through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries. New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that there is no space for third-party intervention in matters concerning India and Pakistan.
On May 7, Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Referring to the broader global situation at the Beijing seminar, Wang said that local wars and cross-border conflicts have erupted more frequently this year than at any time since World War II, and that geopolitical turmoil continues to expand.
Wang stated that China has adopted an objective and rational approach to promoting lasting peace, focusing on addressing both immediate symptoms and root causes of conflicts. He added that following this approach, China has mediated in issues such as northern Myanmar, Iran’s nuclear question, India–Pakistan tensions, the Israel–Palestine conflict, and the recent clashes between Cambodia and Thailand.
Scrutiny of China’s Role and Regional Diplomacy
China’s role during the May 7–10 India–Pakistan conflict has come under close scrutiny, particularly over the military assistance it provided to Pakistan. On the diplomatic front, China had called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint on May 7.
In his address outlining China’s foreign policy initiatives, Wang also referred to the positive momentum in India–China relations. He mentioned that Beijing has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled to be held in Tianjin in August this year.
Wang said that China had invited leaders from India and North Korea this year, noting improvements in China–India relations and the strengthening of China’s traditional friendship with North Korea. He also described the SCO summit as a major success.
Concluding his remarks, Wang Yi said that China’s engagement with neighboring countries has entered a new phase focused on building a “community with a shared future,” and that this process is now moving forward at an accelerated pace.