Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Defence Report Says China Reduced LAC Deployment in 2025
India released a report about soldiers near its disputed border with China.
It said China had fewer soldiers near the Line of Actual Control in 2025.
The report counted 10 large combined military formations near the border and 10 more in training areas.
India said its own army remained ready in every border sector.
Meetings between Indian and Chinese officials and military commanders helped make the border calmer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping also continued discussions.
The report said violence and protests in Jammu and Kashmir had fallen.
However, India said the border and the situation after Operation Sindoor could still change quickly.
India’s Defence Ministry said China significantly reduced PLA deployment opposite India’s northern borders in 2025.
The report listed 10 combined-arms brigade-sized formations along the LAC and 10 more in traditional training areas.
India described its own deployment across all LAC sectors as robust and prepared for emerging contingencies.
Political, diplomatic and military engagement, including border talks and commander meetings, was linked to greater stability.
The ministry said Jammu and Kashmir violence and protests declined, but warned that conditions remained unpredictable after Operation Sindoor.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, China’s People’s Liberation Army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.
- What
- India reported a significant reduction in Chinese military deployment along the northern borders while maintaining its own readiness.
- When
- The assessment covered 2025 and appeared in the Defence Ministry’s 2025-26 annual report; related talks and meetings took place during 2025.
- Where
- Along the Line of Actual Control, stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, and in traditional Chinese training areas.
- Why
- The ministry attributed improved stability to political, diplomatic and military engagement between India and China.
Signs of Stabilisation
Continuing Security Risks
Chinese troop deployment
Signs of Stabilisation
The Defence Ministry described PLA deployment along the northern borders as significantly reduced, with 10 formations along the LAC and 10 in training areas.
Continuing Security Risks
The report did not provide a comparable preceding-year LAC total and did not claim that China had dismantled its broader military infrastructure.
Border stability
Signs of Stabilisation
India said political, diplomatic and military contacts produced positive developments and greater stability, with border meetings continuing in a cordial environment.
Continuing Security Risks
India retained a high level of military readiness and continued to treat the frontier as sensitive and capable of becoming unpredictable.
Bilateral relations
Signs of Stabilisation
Resumed boundary talks, military meetings, leader-level discussions and the reported progress in relations indicated a thaw after years of tension.
Continuing Security Risks
The countries still face an unresolved boundary dispute, and the articles said the possibility of sudden pressure along the frontier had not ended.
- Chinese formations along the LAC
- The report said 10 combined-arms brigade-sized formations were deployed in areas along the Line of Actual Control.
- Chinese formations in training areas
- Another 10 combined-arms brigade-sized formations were stationed in traditional training areas.
- Indian readiness
- The Indian Army’s deployment in all LAC sectors was described as robust, well poised and prepared for emerging contingencies.
- Dialogue mechanisms
- The 33rd and 34th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination meetings were held in March and July 2025.
- Military engagement
- The 23rd Corps Commander Level Meet took place in eastern Ladakh on October 25-26, 2025.
- Earlier deployment estimate
- More than 60,000 PLA troops had previously been estimated in Ladakh before the October 2024 disengagement.
- Jammu and Kashmir
- The report said violence and protests declined and stone-pelting incidents fell to zero, while unpredictability continued after May 2025 talks.
Sources
"Significant Reduction" In Chinese Deployment: Defence Ministry Annual Report
China Reduced Troop Deployment Along LAC in 2025, Says Defence Ministry Report
China reduced deployment of troops along LAC in 2025: MoD report
China thinned Himalayan troop presence in 2025, India defence report says; terms border situation 'stable'
China scaled back PLA deployment along LAC in 2025 to 10 formations: Defence ministry report