The Silk Route and the Sword: China’s Shadow in the Indo-Pak Conflict Post-Pahalgam Attack

Abstract

India's quest for peace has long been disrupted by persistent cross-border hostility, particularly from Pakistan. Since independence in 1947, India has endured multiple wars and a protracted proxy conflict centered in Kashmir. Following its defeat in the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh, Pakistan shifted from conventional warfare to a three-pronged asymmetric strategy—strategic alliances, nuclear deterrence, and the deployment of non-state actors (Terrorist groups). The most recent example, the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which was executed by The Resistance Front, a LeT offshoot, resulted in the deaths of unarmed tourists and marked a new chapter in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. India’s response included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomatic staff. However, the international response, particularly from China, was muted, with Beijing urging restraint while avoiding condemnation of Pakistan. This article examines the evolving India–Pakistan conflict, with a specific focus on China’s strategic role. This article delves into a crucial geopolitical dilemma: Is China acting as a stabilizer in the region, or is it enabling Pakistan’s aggression through strategic shielding and diplomatic patronage? By unpacking China’s layered interests, ambiguous rhetoric, and calculated silence, we examine its “invisible hand” in the India–Pakistan conflict—one that appears wrapped in silk, but conceals the sharpness of a sword.