China's call for calm masks bias in India-Pakistan conflict
China calls for calm in the India-Pakistan conflict, but their actions suggest favoritism toward Islamabad. Is Beijing truly neutral?
Main information
- India conducted attacks on targets in Pakistan in retaliation for the attack in Pahalgam.
- China officially calls for calm, but its actions indicate support for Pakistan.
- The conflict affects China's strategic interests in the region.
During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, India carried out attacks on targets in Pakistan and the Pakistani part of Kashmir. This was a response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India attributed the attack to a group linked to Pakistan.
Although China officially condemned the attack in Pahalgam, it expressed concern over India's actions. Beijing calls for resolving the conflict through dialogue, the United Nations Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions. However, analysts note that China often leans towards Pakistan.
Authorities in Beijing describe Pakistan as an "iron friend" and "strategic partner." After the attack, China's foreign minister expressed support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. China offers assistance in protecting Islamabad's sovereignty, which raises distrust in India.
Less than a week after the April terrorist attack, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. During the discussion, he expressed “full understanding for Pakistan's legitimate security concerns.” He also offered support in “protecting sovereignty.”
China's strategic interests
Srikanth Kondapalli of India's Jawaharlal Nehru University highlights that although China called for an "impartial investigation" into the April attack, they supported Pakistan. China's involvement in the conflict is tied to its strategic interests, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This corridor runs through disputed territories of Kashmir, making China interested in stabilizing the region.
Experts point out that although China aims to act as a stabilizer, its mediation ability is limited. India does not trust Beijing due to previous border clashes and strategic rivalry. Developing Chinese infrastructure in the disputed Aksai Chin region further complicates the situation. Imran Ahmed from the National University of Singapore stated that authorities in Delhi are unlikely to accept Beijing as a mediator, especially one that seems to legitimize Pakistan’s position.
