HONG KONG, May 9 – The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir presents China with a valuable intelligence-gathering opportunity, particularly in the context of its own strategic rivalry with India. Experts and diplomats suggest that China is closely monitoring the situation, using its advanced surveillance capabilities—ranging from satellites to border and naval installations—to observe India’s military actions in real time.
According to security analyst Alexander Neill, based in Singapore, such direct access to live military engagement involving a key regional rival is rare and strategically significant for China. Reports from two U.S. officials claim that a Chinese-made J-10 fighter jet operated by Pakistan was involved in shooting down at least two Indian aircraft, including a Rafale. While India has not confirmed these losses, Pakistan has acknowledged the use of J-10 jets but declined to specify the weapons used.
This confrontation offers military observers a rare chance to study real-world performance of aircraft, missiles, and pilots, helping other nations prepare their own air forces more effectively. The rivalry between India and China—two major regional powers and nuclear-armed states—has long centered around their contested 3,800-kilometer Himalayan border, with tensions dating back to the 1962 war. Although tensions eased in October 2020 through a new patrolling agreement, both countries continue to strengthen their military presence along the border.
China’s technological edge in intelligence gathering is especially pronounced. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), China operates 267 satellites, including 115 for surveillance and 81 for electronic and signal intelligence, a capability far beyond that of regional players like India and second only to the United States.
Neill, also affiliated with the Pacific Forum think-tank in Hawaii, emphasized China’s enhanced capability to monitor missile movements and battlefield developments in real time. China’s Ministry of Defence and Pakistan’s military have not commented on their intelligence activities or possible cooperation. However, Pakistan has described its relationship with China as a “strategic, all-weather partnership.”
India has not officially addressed the issue. Nonetheless, its High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, stated in a media interview that China’s ties with Pakistan are not a source of concern for India, noting that China aims to maintain relations with all neighboring countries.
Analysts also believe that China is closely watching for any use of India’s cruise and ballistic missiles, especially the BrahMos, a supersonic missile co-developed with Russia that reportedly has never been used in combat. Furthermore, China has increased its maritime intelligence activities in the Indian Ocean, deploying satellite tracking vessels and other surveillance ships for extended missions, according to open-source intelligence data.
