U.S. Congressional Report Acknowledges Pakistan’s Superiority in Recent Clash With India

ISLAMABAD: A newly presented report in the United States Congress has acknowledged Pakistan’s battlefield advantage over India in a recent conflict.

Prepared by the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, the report provides a detailed assessment of the May 7 skirmish, noting that Pakistan held a clear upper hand during the short but intense confrontation.

According to the document, Chinese weapons and technology played a decisive role in Pakistan’s success. The report states that Pakistan used Chinese missile systems and advanced technology to target and down Indian Rafale fighter jets, while Chinese intelligence support also contributed to Pakistan’s operational advantage.

The report further notes that India itself admitted Pakistan had successfully struck 109 military targets during the conflict. Indian officials alleged that China directly assisted Pakistan during the confrontation, deepening the strategic rivalry in the region.

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The document also refers to recent joint exercises between China and Pakistan, including the three-week Warrior-VIII counterterrorism drills held in late 2024 and China’s participation in Pakistan Navy’s multinational AMAN exercises in 2025. These activities, the report states, are viewed by India as a negative development and a threat to its border security.

According to the commission, the May clash demonstrated the effectiveness of China’s modern weaponry. The confrontation marked the first operational use of systems such as the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter jets.

The report also highlights that in June 2025, China offered Pakistan 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, KJ-500 early-warning aircraft, and advanced missile defense systems. During the same period, Pakistan increased its defense budget by 20%, raising the total to $9 billion for 2025–26.

Following the clash, Chinese embassies publicly praised the performance of their weapons systems—a move seen as an attempt to boost global arms sales.