In a surprising turn of events, China has joined former U.S. President Donald Trump in claiming credit for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following a brief but intense military confrontation in May. This assertion comes despite India's consistent and firm rejection of any third-party intervention, maintaining that the de-escalation was achieved through direct military-to-military communication.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at a symposium in Beijing, stated that China had taken an "objective and just stance" in mediating international conflicts, including the tensions between India and Pakistan. He listed the India-Pakistan situation alongside other global hotspots where China claims to have played a mediating role, such as northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, Palestine-Israel tensions, and the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. Wang Yi noted a rise in global conflicts and instability and said, "local wars and cross-border conflicts flared up more often than at any time since the end of WWII".
The May confrontation between India and Pakistan, which lasted four days, was triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. India responded with "Operation Sindoor," targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. China, a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan, called for restraint and expressed regret over India's airstrikes at the time.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated that the ceasefire and the understanding reached were a result of direct communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. They reached an agreement on May 10, 2025, to halt all military actions. New Delhi has consistently asserted that there is no room for third-party intervention in matters between India and Pakistan, a long-held position.
Adding to the controversy, Indian military officials have accused China of using the conflict to further its strategic goals. Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt General Rahul R Singh alleged that Beijing treated the confrontation as a "live lab," providing extensive support to Pakistan during the operation. China has not directly responded to these accusations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly claimed credit for mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Since May 10, 2025, Trump has mentioned over 70 times that India and Pakistan agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire after a "long night" of talks mediated by Washington. He has even claimed to have warned both sides that trade would be cut off if fighting continued, leading to a swift resolution.
Despite these claims from both China and the former U.S. President, India has firmly stood its ground, asserting that the resolution was achieved bilaterally through direct military channels.
