A recent report released by a United States congressional commission has revived global attention on Operation Sindoor, asserting that China exploited the brief India-Pakistan confrontation in May as an opportunity to “test, observe, and promote” some of its most advanced military technologies. According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Beijing viewed the four-day hostilities not merely as a regional flare-up but as a convenient real-world environment to showcase the capabilities of its newest weapons while keeping itself removed from any direct escalation between the neighbouring rivals.
The report stated that China strategically used the India-Pakistan exchange of fire as a live demonstration arena, turning the conflict into a high-value testing ground. This allowed Chinese officials and defence planners to gather performance data on major platforms while simultaneously advertising these systems on the global stage, particularly in the context of China’s ongoing border tensions with India and its ambitions to expand its defence exports. India Today Digital had already reported in May that Chinese weapons appeared to be undergoing their first real combat evaluations during this period.
According to the commission’s findings, this was the first instance in which China’s modern military systems—such as the HQ-9 long-range air-defence platform, the PL-15 air-to-air missile, and the J-10 fighter jet—were deployed in active combat conditions. The document claimed that China used insights gained during these operations to advance its defence sales, reportedly offering Pakistan an extensive package that included 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 early-warning aircraft, and missile-defence systems in June 2025.
The India-Pakistan confrontation between May 7 and 10 erupted after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and rapidly escalated into one of the most intense military flashpoints between the nuclear-armed neighbours in recent years. Drawing from hearings, research, and open-source intelligence, the report added that Chinese embassies actively celebrated the “successful performance” of Beijing’s weapon systems during the clash. These public statements were reportedly part of a coordinated effort to strengthen China’s position in the global arms market.
The report also revealed that China launched a parallel disinformation campaign after the conflict, seeking to undermine confidence in the French-built Rafale fighter jets used by India. French intelligence services concluded that China attempted to sabotage Rafale sales abroad by promoting its own J-35 aircraft instead. To accomplish this, fake social media accounts allegedly circulated AI-generated images and manipulated footage showing debris from aircraft that China claimed its systems had destroyed.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India conducted Operation Sindoor starting May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with missile and drone strikes, all of which India intercepted or neutralised. Indian forces then destroyed multiple Pakistani airfields in counterstrikes. The conflict eventually ended with a ceasefire on May 10, but the episode has since drawn increased international scrutiny due to China’s covert attempts to turn the confrontation into a showcase for its military advancement and its expanding influence in the global defence arena.
