Pune: The military conflict witnessed during Operation Sindoor reflects a deeper strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Monday.
Speaking at an event organised by the Pune International Centre (PIC) and moderated by former Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale, Shringla observed that China’s support to Pakistan now extends well beyond defence supplies to include intelligence sharing and diplomatic backing, forming what he described as an “all-weather alliance” designed to constrain India’s rise.
Shringla, who also served as India’s Chief Coordinator for the G20 Presidency, shared his insights on the country’s evolving foreign policy, regional challenges, and strategic priorities in a fast-changing global order. He said India’s approach balances realism with idealism, driven by developmental goals, strategic autonomy, and an inclusive worldview.
According to the PIC release, the discussion covered a wide range of themes — from India’s relations with China and Pakistan to the changing character of warfare and the growing role of technology, drones, and cyber tools in modern defence and diplomacy.
Emphasising the need for strategic deterrence, skilled diplomacy, and domestic growth, Shringla said these factors are crucial to bolstering India’s global position.
Referring to Pakistan’s use of Chinese weaponry during Operation Sindoor, he reiterated that the conflict underscored a deep-rooted China-Pakistan nexus. He urged India to respond through capacity building, innovation, and strategic partnerships aligned with national interests.
On evolving Pakistan–US relations post-Operation Sindoor, Shringla noted that Field Marshal Asim Munir has consolidated authority and regained Washington’s attention under the Trump 2.0 administration. Drawing from his experience as India’s Ambassador to the US, he contrasted Pakistan’s short-term tactical engagement with India’s institutional and long-term diplomacy.
Highlighting India’s global outreach, he said the country’s strength lies in building enduring partnerships with the US, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South — anchored in shared democratic values, trade, technology, and security cooperation.
Reaffirming India’s position on bilateral disputes, Shringla said New Delhi rejects third-party mediation, consistent with the Simla Agreement. He added that the abrogation of Article 370 had integrated Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream, restoring normalcy except for sporadic instances of cross-border terrorism.
Discussing India’s regional and global engagement, he stressed the significance of the Neighbourhood First policy and deeper cooperation with the Global South, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. He also underlined India’s aspiration to become a global “thought and technology leader,” citing the upcoming Global AI Summit as an example of India’s leadership in framing governance for emerging technologies.
Commenting on the ongoing US–China rivalry, Shringla said that although the world seems to be evolving into a G2 framework, India must safeguard its strategic space. He asserted that India’s economic and technological rise positions it as a crucial “third pole” in an increasingly multipolar world.
He concluded by urging a stronger domestic push in key sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and rare earths — essential, he said, for reinforcing India’s global standing.
