“An elephant’s tusks differ for display and for use.” This proverb suits China perfectly in the context of India-Pakistan relations. After the Pahalgam terror attack, tensions escalated at the India-Pakistan border but later subsided. However, the one truly exposed during this episode was China. The powerful strikes under Operation Sindoor forced Pakistan to its knees—and the one feeling the most pain is China.
Because Operation Sindoor was not just a war on terror; it was a dissection of Chinese weapons—those same weapons Pakistan often flaunted with empty threats. The Indian Army not only crushed terrorists but also turned Chinese arms into scrap.
From Beijing to Islamabad, there were high hopes that Chinese weapons supplied to Pakistan would stop India. Chinese President Xi Jinping had his eyes on the operation, wanting to see how effective their weapons would be in actual combat. But the Indian Army not only defeated the terrorists, it also exposed the hollowness of China’s defense exports. Operation Sindoor shattered China’s claims and image, pushing Beijing into a state of silent despair.
“Made in China” Weapons Exposed
The operation targeted terrorist camps in PoK and Pakistan. China was closely watching each move. Xi Jinping and his military were using Pakistan as a live war simulator to test their arms. However, the test backfired—Pakistan’s Chinese weapons were exposed as unreliable.
India Crushed China’s Flop Show
Pakistan used China’s latest drones, HQ-9P air defense systems, JF-17 fighter jets, and PL-15E missiles against India. Confident they would halt India’s advance, the reality was starkly different. These weapons were no match for India’s military. The PL-15 missile was blown out of the sky by Indian air defenses. Its debris fell in Hoshiarpur, Punjab—proof of China’s failure.
HQ-9P, deployed to protect Lahore, couldn’t stop a single Indian missile. It either malfunctioned or misfired. JF-17s, paired with PL-15s, turned into twisted wreckage in Indian fields. The so-called “powerful” combo was reduced to dust.
China’s Taiwan Ambition Foiled
Some reports suggest China viewed Operation Sindoor as a test bed for a potential Taiwan conflict. Using Pakistan as a proxy, Beijing aimed to showcase its weapons. India, however, broke that shoulder China tried to rest its gun on.
Pakistan’s Soaring Defense Imports
Between 2020–2024, Pakistan increased arms purchases by 61%, with 81% of imports from China (SIPRI data). These included:
- 679 VT-4 (Haider) tanks
- J-10CE and J-35A fighter jets
- Type 054A frigates, PNS Rizwan
- Long-range drones and HQ-9P systems
- Hangor-class submarines (8 planned, 4 delivered)
Long-Standing Arms Nexus
China and Pakistan have had a strong arms trade for years—an integral part of their strategic partnership. Over 80% of Pakistan’s military equipment now comes from China. This growing military dependency forms the core of a shifting South Asian geopolitical balance.
When two enemies join hands, it signals a deep conspiracy—and that’s exactly what China and Pakistan tried. While Pakistan fights with terror, China backs it with arms. Together they planned to corner India. But this time, Operation Sindoor crushed not just terror, but also their arrogance. That’s why with Pakistan on its knees, China is now reeling in shock.
