Pakistan backs China’s mediation claim in Operation Sindoor; Rewrites conflict pause story

Pakistan has publicly endorsed China’s assertion that it played a mediating role during the May 2025 India–Pakistan military confrontation that culminated in Operation Sindoor—a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Chinese leaders were “in constant touch” with Pakistan’s leadership and had also made “certain contacts” with the Indian leadership between May 6 and May 10.

According to Andrabi, these engagements amounted to “positive diplomatic exchanges” that helped bring down tensions and promote peace and security in the region.

“So, I’m sure that the Chinese characterisation of mediation is correct,” Andrabi said, marking the first time Pakistan has publicly backed Beijing’s claim of a mediating role in the four-day conflict.

The timing of the assertion has drawn attention, as Pakistan had earlier credited Donald Trump alone for the pause in hostilities. Islamabad’s shift in narrative contrasts sharply with its previous position and has sparked renewed scrutiny over competing claims of diplomatic intervention.

India has consistently rejected assertions of any third-party mediation. New Delhi has maintained that the military pause followed a direct request from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to his Indian counterpart, underscoring that the de-escalation was achieved through established bilateral military channels.

India had also dismissed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement that Beijing played a role during the crisis, reiterating that no external power facilitated the halt in hostilities.

Reiterating Islamabad’s revised stance, Andrabi said Pakistan agreed with China’s assessment and described the efforts as “diplomacy for peace, for prosperity, for security.” He added that such diplomacy reflected the broader international efforts that unfolded during what he called “those three-four fateful days,” and said Pakistan “firmly” supported China’s position as articulated by its foreign minister.

Meanwhile, India’s leadership has framed Operation Sindoor as a calibrated and values-driven response to terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has linked the operation to ethical restraint, invoking Lord Ram’s ideals to emphasise that India fought terror with dignity and sovereign resolve.