China Used Pakistan as “Proxy Knife” Against India During Operation Sindoor:

 

 

By ANN News Desk | July 5, 2025 | New Delhi

Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, stated that China strategically used the conflict between India and Pakistan as a “live testing lab” for its military hardware, opting to inflict damage indirectly rather than engaging in a direct confrontation with India.

Speaking at a military seminar on Friday (July 4), Lt. Gen. Singh highlighted how Pakistan served as the front face during Operation Sindoor, while China and Turkiye played crucial supporting roles, particularly in terms of technology, intelligence, and military hardware.

“China’s military philosophy is based on ancient strategic thinking. One such is the 36 Stratagems, where it is advised to ‘kill with a borrowed knife’. That is exactly what China did — using Pakistan to test its systems and cause harm to India without getting its own hands dirty,” Lt. Gen. Singh said.

 

According to the Deputy Army Chief, India was forced to deal with three adversaries simultaneously during the operation:

• Pakistan, launching direct attacks and drone incursions.
• China, supplying critical military hardware and surveillance intelligence to Pakistan.
• Turkiye, offering logistical and technical support to India’s western neighbour.

“In the last five years, 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware has come from China. This includes drones, missiles, and air defence systems. During the conflict, China was able to test its weapons against Indian systems — treating the warzone like a live experimental lab,” he added.

 

Lt. Gen. Singh underlined the importance of developing a strong, indigenous air defence system to deal with the evolving nature of warfare. He noted that drone swarms from across the border were a major threat during Operation Sindoor and warned that future conflicts may target densely populated civilian areas.

“This time, our population centres were not the main focus. But next time, they could be. That’s why a robust and layered air defence shield is critical for national security,” he warned.

 

The Deputy Army Chief also stressed the need for accelerated indigenisation of defence manufacturing, noting that India must reduce dependency on foreign suppliers — especially when adversaries are rapidly modernising and collaborating with each other.

“We can’t rely on external sources when the enemies are combining their strengths. It’s time India boosts its own innovation, production, and deployment in all three domains — land, air, and cyber,” he concluded.

 

Lt. Gen. Singh’s candid remarks have sparked a broader conversation in strategic and defence circles. As hybrid warfare becomes the new norm — where proxy actors, drones, and digital surveillance play central roles — India is being urged to not only stay vigilant but rethink its defence architecture with urgency.