China has accused the United States of interfering in its relations with India, warning that Washington is attempting to undermine regional stability by driving a wedge between Beijing and New Delhi. The accusation follows the release of a recent Pentagon report assessing China-India relations and their implications for US-India cooperation.
Speaking at a regular media briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the US approach as counterproductive and self-serving.
“The US report distorts China’s defense policy, seeks to drive a wedge between China and other countries, and provides excuses for maintaining its own military hegemony. China firmly opposes this,” Lin said.
The Pentagon report suggested that China is seeking to capitalize on reduced tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the disputed China-India border, to stabilize bilateral ties and prevent closer strategic alignment between Washington and New Delhi. Beijing rejected this framing, stressing that its engagement with India is rooted in long-term strategic considerations rather than third-party influence.
Lin emphasized that China views its relationship with India from a strategic and forward-looking perspective and remains committed to strengthening dialogue and mutual trust.
“The China-India border issue is a matter between the two countries,” he said, adding that the overall situation along the border remains stable and that communication channels are open. Beijing, he underlined, opposes any external country commenting on or interfering in the issue.
Relations between the two Asian powers have improved markedly after nearly five years of strain following deadly border clashes in June 2020. A turning point came in October 2024, when Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, agreeing to restore bilateral engagement.
Since then, practical cooperation has accelerated. Direct flights between China and India resumed in October after a five-year suspension, while both sides fully restored visa services. China recently launched an online visa application system for Indian travelers, and India has eased procedures to fast-track business visas for Chinese professionals, signaling a cautious but tangible thaw in ties.
