India Pushes Back After China Claims Mediation During May Pakistan Military Standoff

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China has claimed it played a role in easing India-Pakistan tensions earlier this year, drawing sharp reactions in New Delhi. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said Beijing had “mediated” between India and Pakistan during the May military standoff. People familiar with the developments dismissed the claim, stressing that China had no involvement in ending the India-Pakistan conflict.

Wang Yi’s Statement at Beijing Symposium


Wang Yi made the remarks while speaking at the “Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations” in Beijing. “This year, local wars and cross-border conflicts flared up more often than at any time since the end of World War II,” he said. He added that China had mediated tensions “between Pakistan and India” among several global conflicts.

Background of the May Military Standoff


India Pakistan tensions escalated sharply in May after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam valley killed 26 civilians. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Kashmir. The confrontation raised serious regional security concerns before military action was halted on May 10.

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Indian Sources Reject China’s Role


There has been no official response from the Indian government so far. However, people aware of the matter said China played no role in the ceasefire. “The claim by the Chinese side is bizarre,” one person told HT. Another source said the pause in military action resulted solely from talks between senior Indian and Pakistani military officials.

Third-Party Mediation Remains a Red Line


China’s claim follows similar statements by US President Donald Trump, which India had also rejected. New Delhi has consistently maintained that India-Pakistan tensions allow no third-party mediation. The episode highlights ongoing geopolitical posturing by major powers and reinforces India’s long-standing stance on bilateral conflict resolution without external involvement.