India Rejects China’s ‘Mediation’ Claim on May 2025 Border Flare-Up, Calls It “Bizarre”

India Rejects China’s Claim of Mediating India-Pakistan Tensions, Calls It Bizarre

By: Javid Amin | 30 December 2025

India has unequivocally rejected China’s claim that it played a mediatory role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan during the May 2025 border flare-up, with officials and analysts in New Delhi describing the assertion as “bizarre” and detached from reality.

The response comes after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at a symposium in Beijing, cited “tensions between India and Pakistan” among global crises that China claimed to have helped mediate this year.

What China Claimed

At the Beijing symposium, Wang Yi listed multiple international flashpoints—ranging from West Asia to South Asia—where China purportedly played a stabilizing role. Among them, he included India-Pakistan tensions in May 2025, implying diplomatic intervention by Beijing.

The claim immediately drew sharp reactions in India, where officials reiterated that no third party was involved at any stage of the de-escalation process.

India’s Firm Rebuttal

New Delhi was quick to restate its long-standing and consistent position:

• The May 7–10 military standoff, referred to by Indian officials as Operation Sindoor, was resolved through direct Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks.

• There was no mediation, facilitation, or intervention by China—or any other country.

• The communication channel used was the established military-to-military hotline between India and Pakistan.

Indian officials emphasized that the facts on record have already been publicly stated and remain unchanged.

Echoes of Trump’s Earlier Claim

China’s assertion closely mirrors a similar claim made earlier in 2025 by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had suggested that Washington helped defuse India-Pakistan tensions.

That claim, too, was categorically rejected by India, which clarified that:

• The situation was handled bilaterally

• No external diplomatic role was played

• Assertions to the contrary were inaccurate

The repetition of such claims by global powers has reinforced India’s determination to publicly counter what it views as misrepresentation of facts.

Claims vs. Reality

Why India Calls the Claim “Bizarre”

1. Core Diplomatic Principle

India has consistently opposed third-party mediation in disputes with Pakistan, particularly on security and military matters. This principle has been upheld across governments and decades.

2. No Evidence of Involvement

There was:

• No request for mediation

• No acknowledgment of Chinese involvement

• No diplomatic record supporting the claim

3. Strategic Irony

China’s claim comes despite:

• Ongoing India-China tensions in eastern Ladakh

• Limited trust between New Delhi and Beijing on security issues

Analysts in New Delhi noted that it was particularly implausible for China to mediate India-Pakistan tensions while its own relationship with India remains strained.

China’s Broader Diplomatic Signaling

Observers see Beijing’s statement as part of a larger strategic narrative, where China seeks to:

• Project itself as a global peacemaker

• Showcase diplomatic relevance across multiple conflict zones

• Counterbalance U.S. and Western influence

In recent years, China has highlighted its involvement in dialogues related to:

• Iran-Saudi rapprochement

• Myanmar

• Afghanistan

• West Asian conflicts

Including India-Pakistan tensions in this list appears aimed more at global image-building than reflecting ground realities, analysts say.

Implications for India-China Relations

While the claim itself may not trigger immediate diplomatic fallout, it adds another irritant to an already complex relationship:

• Trust deficit remains high following Ladakh standoff

• India is sensitive to any suggestion of external involvement in its regional affairs

• Public rebuttals reinforce India’s strategic autonomy narrative

Diplomatic experts note that India is unlikely to escalate the issue, but will continue to publicly correct the record.

India-Pakistan Dynamic Reaffirmed

The episode reinforces a key message New Delhi has repeatedly conveyed:

• India-Pakistan issues are strictly bilateral

• Existing military and diplomatic mechanisms are sufficient

• External mediation is neither required nor acceptable

The May 2025 episode, resolved quietly through DGMO channels, is being cited as evidence of that position.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy highlights how:

• Major powers often seek credit for conflict resolution

• Narrative-building sometimes overrides factual accuracy

• India remains vigilant about sovereignty in diplomatic discourse

For New Delhi, rejecting such claims is not just about correcting facts—but about defending a core foreign policy doctrine.

Bottom Line

India views China’s claim of mediating the May 2025 India-Pakistan flare-up as factually incorrect and diplomatically misplaced. By firmly reiterating that the situation was resolved through direct bilateral military talks, New Delhi has once again drawn a clear red line against third-party involvement—no matter how influential the claimant.