The outbreak of hostilities between India and Pakistan and at such a large scale posed some dilemma for China. It is true Beijing never considered two countries 'friends'. India was never one and Pakistan was a readily available agreeable partner.
But the 'blood brother' had to be protected too. On the other China knows the power of India's market and how crucial it could be turned when measured in the context of India-US negotiations on tariff.
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| Informal Summit 2019 : Modi and Xi Jinping |
China has handed such challenging global atmosphere in the past too. Throughout the Iraq-Iran war. China called for reconciliation but never took any key initiative to resolve the issues. It also blamed the US and the then Soviet Union for contributing to the stalemate.
But for its part, it did not mind garnering huge profits by arms sales to Iran and Iraq. Actually, the Chinese economic relations with the Gulf countries thrived.
Now, in the context of India-Pakistan conflict and Operation Sindoor as launched by India; Beijing was sure about New Delhi's win. Hence, it kept its support to Pakistan only to the level of 'minimum' and this was certainly much to the chagrin of Gen Asim Munir and hos team.
Thus we find China's relations with Pakistan was and is "circumscribed" by several other multi-facted issues.
Narendra Modi gauged some of it very well and did so well in advance.
Thus, used his May 12 national broadcast as a defining moment to spell out his government's anti-terror policy.
But surpassing Xi Jinping's calculations, Modi made that also his neo-war doctrine and also a virtual 'global anti-terror policy'.
The one-liner Modi used - This is not the era of War; and this cannot be the era of Terror -- was actually a winner.
Have these forced Chinese leadership and top brains go back to the board room for some tweaking ? The answer is both - yes and no.
Beijing has handled such stages in the past. In order to protect its strategic and economic interests; China will not be emotional or impractical. It may not remain strictly impartial. In the past too when it came to Iraq and Iran -- China did not mind pushing economic opportunities and tapping them to the full.
However, at the same time -- it had remained passive on the diplomatic front. So such a thing is possible yet again on the part of China when it comes to Pakistan.
India's western neighvour is not only a failed state; for Beijing in the name of friendship Pakistan is actually only a liability.
This when it comes to Balochistan; China is not making much noise even as a 'republic'of Baloshistan has been announced already.
Of course; China has almost taken such a stance even in 1999 during and after Kargil conflict.
Twenty-six years before, in 1999, the Indian armed forces had successfully stalled Pakistan’s brazen bid to capture the Kargil hills.
Even now in 2025, Narendra Modi has to go a serious armed conflict and clashes because as many as 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. But rightly again, India targeted terror infrastructures those were responsible for the brutal gunning down of 26 innocent tourists.
The 'war and peace' of 2025 has actually helped India to sit back and take a closer look at the arms and weapons and internationally how some countries - old and new friends - came in for support.
More importantly, the multiple weapon systems have played a part in favour of India in the crucial conflict that left Pakistan shattered.
Exposure of Pakistan’s Air Defense Weaknesses:
Indian Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense systems, completing the mission in just 23 minutes using Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs,
......demonstrating India’s technological edge.
The Barak-8, developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries, has a range of 70–80 km (with longer-range variants under development) and can neutralise aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and even ballistic threats. The supersonic speed, rapid reaction capability, and dual radar guidance system of Barak-8 make it a cornerstone of India's air defence.
Of course, India's own BrahMos devastated Pakistani targetsat the same time; India's defence systems ensured enemy retaliation attempts failed.
On May 8 and 9, Pakistan launched swarm drone attacks and even fired its Fateh-2 guided rockets targeting Indian installations.
These were intercepted by a multi-layered missile defence shield comprising the Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM), Akashteer systems, and the Russian S-400 air defence system.
Akashteer: India's indigenous answer to aerial threats
Akashteer, a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed under India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), also played a key role. Once plagued by delays, the Akashteer system has now become a trusted asset of both the Army and Air Force.
During Operation Sindoor, the Akashteer — particularly the newer Akash NG variant with extended range and improved performance — intercepted multiple drone swarms and missile threats.
IACCS: The brain behind the shield
Backing India's air defence was the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), an indigenous, automated battlefield management tool developed by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited.
Operating from a classified underground facility, IACCS integrates radar, sensors, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWCS) data, and real-time intelligence to generate a Recognised Air Situation Picture (RASP). This enables seamless threat detection and interception coordination across services and agencies. It was this system that ensured Pakistani attempts to escalate militarily across the border — via missiles or drones — were neutralised before causing damage.
BrahMos: Supersonic precision that rattled Pakistan
On the morning of May 10, India fired several BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles at key Pakistani airbases.
The air and ground variants of the BrahMos — a joint venture between India and Pakistan now manufactured domestically — were central to the destruction of key targets, including Pakistani runways, bunkers, and hangars.
Leading the charge were the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, Akash and Barak-8 missile systems, and the formidable Russian-made S-400 air defence system.
Backed by a robust integrated air defence network and real-time command-and-control infrastructure, India not only launched a devastating offensive but also thwarted retaliatory drone and missile attacks with an impenetrable shield.
Sukhoi-30 MKI: Delivery platform for devastation
The Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKIs, domestically produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor. Each jet can carry a BrahMos missile and has an operational endurance of up to 11 hours with mid-air refuelling.
The integration of BrahMos into the Su-30 platform has exponentially enhanced India's strike capabilities. One aircraft, one missile, one target — and results that left enemy radar and air defence units unable to intercept or respond.
Operation Sindoor: Colonel (Retd) John Spencer said India demonstrated both offensive and defensive superiority during Operation Sindoor, sending a message that it can hit 'anywhere in Pakistan, anytime'.
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