Thu Nov 20 05:30:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Report: Chinese Weapons Key to Pakistan’s Victory in 2025 Clash with India
New Delhi – A new report by a US Congressional panel alleges that Chinese weaponry played a decisive role in Pakistan’s victory during a four-day military conflict with India earlier this year. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 Annual Report claims that China exploited the India-Pakistan crisis to test, trial, and promote its advanced defense exports.
The clash, triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, saw some of the most intense fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. The Commission’s report highlights that “Pakistan’s military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry.” It specifically notes the use of Chinese weapons to down French-made Rafale fighter jets operated by India, which subsequently became a selling point for Chinese defense sales.
According to the report, Chinese embassies actively promoted the success of their systems in the conflict, seeking to bolster weapon sales in the region. The conflict also served as a “real-world field experiment” for China’s modern weapons systems, including the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter aircraft.
The Commission warns that this demonstration benefits Beijing’s commercial ambitions, as Chinese officials reportedly convinced Indonesia to halt a purchase of Rafale jets, furthering China’s influence in regional military procurements.
The report situates this event within China’s broader regional strategy of supplying military hardware to Pakistan and strengthening intelligence and operational links, with significant implications for India.
Furthermore, the report points to an asymmetry in how China and India approach their border dispute, suggesting China uses high-level dialogues for partial resolutions, while India seeks a sustainable solution without political concessions.
The commission remains uncertain about the long-term implications of China and India’s 2025 commitments, questioning whether they are a short-term response to trade negotiations with the United States or a sign of normalizing bilateral relations.
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