Report Alleges China Behind Disinformation Campaign Following Operation Sindoor
Beijing accused of spreading fake AI images to influence aircraft sales and exploit India-Pakistan conflict, says US-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Washington, Nov 19: The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, an advisory body created by the US Congress, on Tuesday accused China of orchestrating a disinformation campaign following India’s Operation Sindoor. The report alleges that China used fake social media accounts to spread AI-generated images of supposed “debris” from planes, aiming to hinder sales of French Rafale jets in favor of its own J-35 aircraft.
The Commission’s annual report also claimed that Beijing leveraged the May India-Pakistan conflict to showcase the sophistication of its weapons, aligning with its broader border security and defence industry goals.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack in April, which killed 26 civilians, targeting terror installations and military sites in Pakistan. In August, Indian Air Force Chief AP Singh confirmed that five Pakistani fighter jets and a large airborne surveillance aircraft were destroyed during the operation.
India-China ties under scrutiny
The Commission highlighted an “asymmetry” in border issue resolutions, stating that China uses high-profile dialogues to achieve partial resolutions without compromising core interests, while India seeks sustainable solutions. The report noted that existing agreements on economic cooperation or border resolution remain largely conceptual, with few concrete follow-ups.
It also flagged that the succession of the Dalai Lama could become a future point of contention between India and China.
Strategic context
The report observed that India’s 2025 engagements with China might reflect a short-term hedge against trade tensions with the United States or a longer-term effort toward bilateral normalisation. In August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recent developments suggest a stabilisation in India-US relations, with the first tranche of a trade agreement expected soon, following previous tensions due to 50% tariffs.
