Terrorist attack in India reignites tensions between India, Pakistan

(MENAFN) The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025 — originating from Pakistan and killing 26 civilians, predominantly Hindus — has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors.

While terrorism and hostility are at the center of the current narrative, a closer look reveals a key actor shaping these events from the sidelines — China.

In the wake of the attack, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar rushed to Beijing to meet his counterpart, Wang Yi. The Chinese Foreign Minister called Pakistan an “ironclad friend” and “all-weather strategic ally.”

China’s motives are clear: it aims to consolidate its influence in South Asia through deep economic ties, defensive cooperation, and diplomatic engagement — all while slowing India's rise.

The attack in Pahalgam, therefore, shouldn’t be viewed in isolation; it forms a piece of a much bigger puzzle that highlights Beijing’s growing role in shaping the future of the region.

This escalation comes at a delicate time for India, which is poised to become a key manufacturing hub as companies move operations away from China. Rising US tariffs and growing geopolitical risks have forced many businesses to reassess their operations.

For Beijing, this makes slowing India's momentum a priority — a tactic made easier by its longstanding influence over Pakistan, an economically vulnerable but strategically valuable ally.

In a strong response, India struck back against 11 Pakistani airbases and nine terrorist camps, addressing its own security concerns while trying to avoid further escalation. Nonetheless, the episode underscores how easily conflict can undermine stability and undermine India's future growth — exactly what Beijing may be counting on.

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