Delilah D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 23: In its first diplomatic response following the recent cross-border conflict with Pakistan, India drew a clear red line for both China and Turkiye, urging them to respect mutual sensitivities and firmly denounce terrorism emanating from across the border.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the media, confirmed that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had spoken to China’s Foreign Minister and Special Representative on boundary issues on May 10, at the conclusion of Operation Sindoor. The operation, carried out between May 7 and 10, was a direct retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
“The NSA conveyed India’s resolute stance against cross-border terrorism from Pakistan,” Jaiswal said, adding that China is “aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the foundation of India-China relations.”
Though Jaiswal refrained from naming specifics, sources in the strategic community believe China provided satellite support to Pakistan during the conflict. Post-operation, reports have emerged that China even offered Pakistan its stealth J-20 fighter jet—indicating a deepening military partnership between the two neighbours.
India also took strong exception to Turkiye’s involvement in the hostilities. “We expect Turkiye to urge Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure and take credible, verifiable action,” Jaiswal stated, noting that “relations are built on sensitivities to each other’s concerns.”
According to Indian security assessments, over 350 drones and several Turkish military personnel had supported Pakistan during the four-day conflict. Turkiye reportedly provided logistical and operational support, including drone warfare expertise, raising serious concerns in New Delhi about direct military involvement.
Pakistan’s retaliation came swiftly after India’s strikes, deploying advanced drones like Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA for surveillance, target acquisition, and kamikaze-style attacks on Indian military convoys and forward posts.
Turkiye’s growing military cooperation with Pakistan has drawn global attention. A 2024 report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) revealed that 10% of all Turkish arms exports over the past four years were directed to Pakistan. Meanwhile, China accounted for 63% of Pakistan’s arms imports during the same period, ranking it among the top arms exporters globally—behind only the US, France, and Russia.
As tensions simmer, India’s message to both China and Turkiye remains unequivocal—friendship cannot be built without trust, and trust cannot exist in the shadow of terror.