In a significant disclosure, Indian Army Deputy Chief Lt Gen Rahul R Singh on Friday said China used its military support to Pakistan as an opportunity to test its weapons, turning the recent conflict with India into what he described as “a live lab.”
Speaking at a FICCI-organised defence industry event, Lt Gen Singh stated:
“China has been able to test its weapons against various other weapon systems that are there. It’s like a live lab which is available to it.”
He noted that 81% of Pakistan’s military inventory is of Chinese origin, and that Beijing has emerged as the primary backer of Islamabad during Operation Sindoor — India’s cross-border offensive targeting terror camps in Pakistan.
China’s Strategy: ‘Kill by a Borrowed Knife’
Lt Gen Singh cited China’s tactical preference to inflict pain through proxies, saying:
“China follows the dictum of kill by a borrowed knife. Instead of getting into a mudslinging match on the northern borders, they prefer using Pakistan.”
He further remarked that Pakistan and China are not the only adversaries India faces, and said:
“One border, two adversaries… actually, three.”
Citing Turkey as the third, Singh said Ankara has provided extensive support to Pakistan, especially in drone warfare capabilities.
‘Pakistan Had Live Info from China’
Lt Gen Singh revealed that during the conflict:
“Even when DGMO-level talks were going on, Pakistan was mentioning, ‘We know your such-and-such vector is primed and ready for action.’”
He said this was real-time intelligence likely shared by China, indicating a deep operational collaboration between the two.
Background: Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, in retaliation to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure across Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Pakistan retaliated with missile and drone strikes, believed to be supplied primarily by China and Turkey. However, most incoming threats were neutralised by India’s air defence systems.
Ceasefire and Diplomatic Angle
A ceasefire was reached following contact between the DGMOs of both countries. US President Donald Trump claimed he brokered the ceasefire, though India officially denied any third-party involvement.
The revelations underscore how India’s regional security dynamics are influenced by multi-nation collaboration among its adversaries, raising serious questions about future preparedness and the role of foreign influence in regional conflicts.