Pentagon report flags China’s expanding military ties with Pakistan, notes cautious thaw with India

It states that the Xi-PM Modi meeting marked the onset of monthly high-level engagements between the two countries, during which the two sides discussed border management and next steps in the bilateral relationship

A Pentagon report to Congress says China is easing tensions with India along the LAC while boosting military ties with Pakistan, supplying advanced weapons and aircraft. Despite improved India-China talks, mutual distrust is likely to persist.

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A Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress points towards China’s dual-track strategy with India – decreasing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) while also strengthening military cooperation with Pakistan.

On developments along the LAC

The report highlights that in October 2024, Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff sites along the LAC, two days before a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

It states that the Xi-PM Modi meeting marked the onset of monthly high-level engagements between the two countries, during which the two sides discussed border management and next steps in the bilateral relationship. These steps included direct flights, visa facilitation, and the exchange of academics and journalists.

China is seen as seeking to capitalise on reduced tensions along the LAC to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent a deepening of US-India ties.

At the same time, the report notes that India is likely to remain sceptical of China's actions and intentions, adding that continued mutual distrust and other irritants are almost certain to limit the bilateral relationship.

China's deepening military ties with Pakistan

The report notes a steady strengthening of China’s military cooperation with Pakistan, marked by the supply of advanced platforms including frigates, with four delivered in the past decade, and combat aircraft.

China currently markets three main combat aircraft for export: the fifth-generation FC-31, the fourth-generation J-10C multirole fighter, and the jointly produced China-Pakistan JF-17 light combat aircraft.

As of May 2025, China had delivered 20 J-10C fighter jets to Pakistan -- its only exports of the type -- under two orders placed since 2020 totalling 36 jets. Beijing has also supplied Pakistan with strike-capable Caihong and Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while exporting the same platforms to countries including Algeria, Iraq and Myanmar.

During the next five years, China probably will grow its naval export market, adding to a customer base that currently includes Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand, the report stated.