Chinese Studies expert Professor Srikanth Kondapalli alleges China aided Pakistan during the Pahalgam terror attack, supplying satellite data and equipment, raising questions on India-China trust in counter-terrorism.
Alleged Chinese support to Pakistan
Professor Srikanth Kondapalli, a Chinese Studies expert at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has claimed that China played a role in supporting Pakistan during the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "On April 22nd, when the Pahalgam incident took place, one of the terrorists was carrying a Huawei phone with a Chinese satellite connection. He was messaging back to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attacks. So, there is a Chinese role here...The Chinese have supplied satellite images of Pahalgam before the attack. 120-129 slides have been given to the Pakistanis. ....This is another incident where the Chinese were helping the Pakistani side, despite the counter-terrorism pledge with the Indians, also with the international community in the SCO,”
Kondapalli further stated that China provided Pakistan with military equipment such as JF-17 fighter jets, J-10 aircraft, and HQ-9 missile batteries during India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan. He stressed that such actions highlight China’s double standards, despite pledges to counter terrorism alongside the international community.
Diplomatic ties and caution ahead
The expert also pointed to China’s role in diluting mentions of the terror group The Resistance Front (TRF) at the UN Security Council, showing Pakistan’s influence over Beijing. Kondapalli noted, “This suggests India cannot fully trust China on counter-terrorism issues.”
Despite these tensions, India and China are taking steps to normalize relations. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India recently in August, where both sides finalized updated Air Services Agreements and discussed visa facilitation for tourists and businesses.
Kondapalli emphasized caution in India-China ties, highlighting that while diplomatic normalization progresses, security concerns and trust deficits remain crucial for India’s strategic planning.
