New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- Chinese military deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) declined significantly in 2025, with sustained political, diplomatic and military engagement between India and China contributing to what the defence ministry described as positive developments and greater stability along the northern borders. According to the defence ministry's 2025-26 annual report, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had 10 combined arms brigades positioned along the LAC, while another 10 brigades were located in traditional training areas away from the frontier. The deployment translates to an estimated 40,000-50,000 Chinese troops along the LAC, with a similar number stationed in the training areas.
The report did not provide a comparable figure for the previous year. However, Chinese troop strength in eastern Ladakh had been estimated at more than 60,000 before India and China reached an agreement in October 2024 to disengage troops from the remaining friction points. That understanding helped bring an end to the prolonged military standoff that had lasted more than four years and severely strained bilateral relations. The ministry said interactions between the two countries at the political, diplomatic and military levels had facilitated positive developments along the northern borders. It also maintained that Indian Army deployments across all sectors of the LAC remain robust and that the force is prepared to respond to any emerging security contingency.
The annual report covers developments until March 31, 2026, and therefore does not include the latest tensions reported between Indian and Chinese troops in Taksing, a remote area of Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district. Reports of face-offs in parts of Arunachal Pradesh during July and August have added a fresh layer of concern despite the broader efforts towards stabilising bilateral ties. The report's assessment comes at a time when India-China relations have shown signs of cautious improvement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and welcomed what they described as steady progress in bilateral relations.
The two leaders' meeting was held against the backdrop of continuing border-related concerns. India has maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border remain essential for the development of broader ties with China. The two sides have also continued discussions through diplomatic mechanisms, military commander-level talks and the Special Representatives' dialogue on the boundary question. The two countries held the first round of military commander-level talks in the eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh on September 6 and 7. This followed the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives on the boundary issue in Beijing.
The defence ministry report also discussed lessons from Operation Sindoor, the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025. It said the operation prompted a comprehensive review of military capabilities, with particular attention to force restructuring, greater integration between the services and the use of emerging technologies. The report also highlighted gaps in domestic capabilities in areas such as unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone technology and loitering munitions. It stressed the need for greater jointness among the armed forces and said the proposed theatre commands would help integrate personnel, assets and military elements from the three services under unified commanders.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.