New Delhi: Even as relations between the two Asian capitals continued to warm, Beijing announced that Chinese-made fighter jets exported to Pakistan had achieved combat success, shooting down multiple aircraft with zero losses during an engagement in mid-May 2025.On January 9, China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence released its “Top Ten News Stories of the National Defence Science and Technology Industry for 2025,” listing the J-10CE fighter’s combat debut. It didn’t mention the battlefield, but the state media which reported on the press release gave more details.According to the Xinhua report dated January 12, the J-10CE export fighter “successfully shot down multiple enemy aircraft while sustaining zero losses” during an aerial engagement in mid-May 2025. Chinese officials stated the combat results demonstrate that domestically produced aviation equipment is “practical, effective, and highly competitive compared to similar foreign equipment.”The J-10CE is an all-weather, single-engine, single-seat, multi-role fighter jet developed by China. As per the Xinhua report, the achievement is expected to drive more domestic aviation hardware toward the international market.Pakistan operates J-10C fighters supplied by China, according to the Pentagon’s December 2025 report on Chinese military developments. It is so far the only country to which China has exported these jets, numbering around 36 since 2020.In April 22, terrorists killed 26 people in the tourist town of Pahalgam, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based terror groups India responded on May 7 with “Operation Sindoor,” launching drone and missile strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and mainland Pakistan. There was retaliation and counter-retaliation for four days, before ceasefire was announced on May 10.During the clashes, Pakistan deployed Chinese-origin military equipment and claimed to have shot down Indian military planes. The annual report of US-China Economic and Security Review Commission stated “Pakistan’s military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry”.So far, India has only said that there have been losses, but didn’t give any numbers.Meanwhile, a Communist Party of China delegation led by Vice-Minister Sun Haiyan met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders at party headquarters on January 12, in the first such encounter since the 2020 Galwan clash. The delegation, including Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong, is scheduled to meet Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders on January 13 and a Congress delegation led by Salman Khurshid in coming days.BJP general secretary Arun Singh and the party’s foreign affairs cell head Vijay Chauthaiwale were part of the interaction, with the former stating discussions focused on enhancing inter-party communications. The meetings follow a 2024 thaw that saw China resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and reinstate direct flights between the two countries.The Communist Party of China (CPC) and BJP last met almost six years ago. In January 2011, a BJP delegation travelled to China, and in 2009, BJP and RSS leaders visited Beijing. The current visit comes as India negotiates trade issues with the United States, which has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods.The renewed engagement comes amid rhetoric over lingering territorial disputes. At a January 12 press conference, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended Chinese infrastructure projects in Shaksgam Valley, stating the territory “belongs to China” and that construction there is “fully justified.”Her remarks responded to India’s criticism of Chinese infrastructure development in the area. India considers Shaksgam Valley to be Indian territory and has reiterated non-recognition of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said India has never recognised the China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963, calling the agreement “illegal and invalid.” India also reserved the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests in the region.Mao said the 1963 boundary agreement was within the sovereign rights of China and Pakistan, and that neither the agreement nor CPEC affects China’s position on the Kashmir issue.