China Urges Restraint, Regrets India’s Anti-Terror Strikes
China has officially reacted to India’s military strikes under Operation Sindoor, expressing “regret” over the action and voicing concern about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The strikes, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), were carried out in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
In a carefully worded statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said, “We call on both India and Pakistan to put peace and stability first, remain calm and exercise restraint.”
The statement further added, “China regrets India’s military action in the early hours of this morning and is concerned about the current development.”
This response reflects Beijing’s consistent position of non-endorsement in conflicts involving its strategic partners—Islamabad and New Delhi. While acknowledging India’s security concerns, China has historically walked a diplomatic tightrope, calling for de-escalation without explicitly condemning terrorism originating from Pakistan.
India’s Firm Stance Against Cross-Border Terrorism
India, however, has defended Operation Sindoor as a measured and precise action aimed solely at dismantling terror infrastructure. Indian officials reiterated that the mission deliberately avoided targeting Pakistani military assets and was executed to protect Indian civilian lives following the deadly Pahalgam attack.
The Indian government has also briefed key global stakeholders to clarify that the strikes were a necessary response to the repeated use of Pakistani territory by terrorist outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Global Responses and Diplomatic Efforts
China’s statement joins a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation. The United Nations, United States, United Kingdom, and several EU nations have all appealed for restraint from both sides and stressed the importance of dialogue to resolve underlying tensions.
As a close ally of Pakistan and an economic partner of India, China’s call for calm is seen as a balancing act aimed at maintaining regional stability while not alienating either party. However, its “regret” over India’s action has drawn criticism from sections of Indian strategic analysts who argue that such statements ignore the root cause—Pakistan’s sustained support for terror groups.
