How Pakistan outmanoeuvred India in Iran war diplomacy with China’s help

South China Morning Post Political StrategyAnalysisEN 2 min read 100% complete by Syed Munir KhasruApril 14, 2026 at 11:30 PM

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Pakistan, with China's assistance, recently hosted high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad, unexpectedly positioning itself at the center of diplomacy amid ongoing conflict. The talks, involving US Vice-President J.D. Vance, concluded without a deal due to Iran's rejection of US terms regarding its nuclear program. China's interest in preventing escalation in the Gulf to protect energy flows is seen as a key factor in facilitating Pakistan's diplomatic role. Despite India's larger economy and military, the crisis has temporarily elevated Pakistan's relevance due to its strategic alignment with China. China is reportedly importing large quantities of Iranian oil via the Strait of Hormuz.

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Framing Angle

Political Strategy

Primary framing

Diplomatic

Secondary framing

Measured

Sensationalism

Factual

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

India's economy is roughly US$4.5 trillion compared with Pakistan's US$410.5 billion.

statistic — Article100% confidence

US and Iran walked away from negotiations in Islamabad without a deal.

factual — Article100% confidence

Oil markets have reacted sharply, with crude prices hovering close to US$100.

factual — Article90% confidence

Pakistan hosted US-Iran talks in Islamabad by leveraging a partnership with China.

factual — Article90% confidence

Iran has sent more than 11 million barrels of crude oil to China since the war outbreak.

factual — Reports80% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tel Aviv 40% Israel 50% Strait of Hormuz 60% J.D. Vance 70% Islamabad ×270% China ×380% United States ×480% India ×590% Iran ×490% Pakistan ×690%

Keywords

diplomacy 90% pakistan 80% us-iran talks 80% china 70% india 70% strategic alignment 60% geopolitics 60% energy flows 50% nuclear programme 40% crude oil 40%