A new wave of clashes on the India-Pakistan border has once again ignited concerns of a two-front war for India, with Pakistan on the western front and China looming in the east. As military tensions rise, many are turning their attention to an uncomfortable and often overlooked reality — the enduring military collusion between China and Pakistan.
This alliance, while not always visible in combat, is entrenched in decades of diplomacy, arms deals, and strategic posturing. Adding to the complexity is Russia’s conspicuous silence, a calculated diplomatic move that continues to raise eyebrows, especially when viewed in the light of historic alliances during major Indo-Pak conflicts.
China has never gone to war directly with India on Pakistan’s behalf. But its indirect support — from military aid to diplomatic cover — has played a decisive role in reshaping South Asian geopolitics since the 1960s.
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China’s Proxy Support: A Pattern Since 1965
In 1965, when war broke out between India and Pakistan, China publicly aligned itself with Pakistan. The move wasn’t just symbolic. At the time, China had already fought a war with India in 1962 and was looking to counter New Delhi’s rising influence in the region. However, Beijing refrained from direct military involvement.
The underlying reason was simple: China had just emerged from its own war with India and was not prepared for a two-front confrontation, especially with Soviet backing for India. Despite diplomatic threats and strong rhetoric, Beijing did not open a second front.
It was during this war that the Soviet Union firmly backed India, cementing a strategic axis that would further frustrate China. Though Moscow advocated peace through diplomatic channels, its actions — including supplying military support and political backing to India — revealed clear alignment.
This subtle but significant tilt by Russia (then the USSR) would go on to shape China’s approach to Indo-Pak conflicts for decades.
The 1971 War and the Breaking Point in China-Russia Relations
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 marked a turning point. Not only did India intervene in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to stop genocide and refugee influx, but it also signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation. This treaty was a clear sign of Moscow’s strategic backing.
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China, incensed by both Indian action and Soviet support, went on a diplomatic offensive. While it issued statements condemning India and accusing Moscow of enabling “Indian expansionism,” it still avoided direct military involvement.
Premier Chou En Lai had earlier assured Pakistan of full Chinese support in the event of an Indian attack. But when war finally broke out in 1971, Beijing chose not to mobilize troops. Instead, China supplied arms and ammunition and even deployed military instructors, but it kept its forces away from the battlefield.
This hesitance was driven partly by Soviet warnings. The USSR had made it clear to Beijing that any military intervention in support of Pakistan would be met with force. The balance of power was heavily tilted against any Chinese adventurism at the time.
Beijing’s inability to come to Pakistan’s rescue led to lasting resentment and a reevaluation of its role in the South Asian strategic equation. But the relationship between China and Pakistan only grew stronger, as both countries saw India as a mutual adversary.
Strategic Geography and the 1963 Border Pact
The foundation of today’s China-Pakistan alliance can be traced back to the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement, in which Pakistan ceded around 5,180 square kilometers of territory in the Shaksgam Valley (part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) to China.
This agreement gave China a direct stake in the Kashmir dispute and laid the groundwork for its long-term strategic involvement in the region.
By supporting Pakistan’s position in Kashmir, China ensured continued leverage over India. The move also allowed China to plan infrastructure and economic projects, like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), through disputed areas — further complicating India’s position.
CPEC is not just an economic lifeline for Pakistan; it is also a military and strategic corridor for China. It links China’s western region to the Arabian Sea and gives Beijing a permanent footprint in the Indian Ocean, something that deeply concerns Indian policymakers.
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China’s Military Support to Pakistan: Then and Now
During the 1971 war, China sent over 200,000 rounds of ammunition to Pakistan. It also helped set up local arms production and provided maintenance and technical training. While it didn’t send troops, it strengthened Pakistan’s ability to fight a prolonged war.
Fast forward to 1999 and the Kargil conflict. China maintained a low-profile response. Its main concern then was the presence of Uyghur extremists among Pakistan’s militant ranks, which made Beijing cautious. However, there were reports that Pakistan’s Air Force used Chinese airspace for logistical operations.
More recently, China has emerged as Pakistan’s biggest arms supplier. According to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), over 60% of Pakistan’s total arms imports between 2015 and 2024 came from China, valued at $8.2 billion. These include fighter jets, air defense systems, drones, and surveillance radars.
Despite this extensive military cooperation, China has never signed a formal military pact with Pakistan. This ambiguity allows Beijing to offer maximum support with minimal liability.
Russia’s Evolving Role: From Ally to Spectator
One of the most striking developments in South Asian geopolitics has been Russia’s transition from active ally to silent observer.
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During the Cold War, Moscow’s support for India was open and aggressive. It provided arms, political cover, and even vetoed resolutions against India at the UN. But in recent years, Russia has adopted a more balanced approach, driven by its desire to maintain ties with both India and Pakistan — as well as China.
During the 2025 India-Pakistan border clashes, Russia refrained from taking a side. It issued bland calls for peace and dialogue while avoiding any statements that could be interpreted as support for India, its traditional defense partner.
China noticed this silence. And so did Pakistan.
This new alignment has left India in a tricky position. While Russia remains a major arms supplier and strategic partner, its growing ties with China and Pakistan present a challenge.
The 2025 Conflict and the New Age of Digital War
In the most recent clashes along the LoC, China once again provided verbal support to Pakistan by calling India’s military action “regrettable.” But it stopped short of any intervention.
What was different this time was the information warfare. Pro-China digital influencers, military bloggers, and anonymous Telegram channels flooded social media with pro-Pakistan narratives. They mocked Indian strategies, questioned the timing of military operations, and cast doubt on India’s legitimacy in Kashmir.
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This digital proxy war, amplified by China’s massive online propaganda network, adds a new layer to the traditional geopolitical conflict.
India now faces not just bullets and borders, but hashtags, misinformation, and perception management — an area where China excels.
