‘Responsible nations should introspect’: India’s sharp response to China over support to Pakistan in Op Sindoor

India on Tuesday issued a sharp response after reports emerged that China had provided technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor last year. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the reports “corroborate what was known earlier” and stated that countries considering themselves responsible should reflect on whether supporting or protecting terrorist infrastructure affects their international reputation and standing.

The remarks came during the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing following reports that Chinese personnel had provided on-site assistance to Pakistan during the military conflict linked to Operation Sindoor. India had launched the operation in retaliation for the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. According to the government, the operation targeted terror infrastructure operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Jaiswal described Operation Sindoor as a “precise, targeted and calibrated response” aimed at dismantling state-sponsored terror infrastructure. He reiterated that India’s action was directed specifically at terror networks operating from across the border. The statement followed recent comments carried by Chinese state media regarding technical cooperation with Pakistan during the conflict.

According to reports, China’s state broadcaster aired an interview with Zhang Heng, an engineer from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute. Zhang reportedly stated that his team provided technical and on-site support to Pakistan during the hostilities to ensure Chinese-made equipment performed effectively. Pakistan’s air force operates Chinese-manufactured J-10CE fighter aircraft developed by an AVIC subsidiary.

India had earlier stated that a significant portion of Pakistan’s military hardware originates from China. According to figures cited by the Indian Army, around 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military equipment is of Chinese origin. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicated that China sold arms worth billions of dollars to Pakistan since 2015, with Pakistan remaining China’s largest weapons client during recent years.