The deployment of Chinese forces along India’s northern borders witnessed a significant reduction in 2025, following the Indian Army’s move to deploy 10 brigade-sized formations in areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and traditional training areas, according to the Ministry of Defence’s annual report for 2025-26.
The Defence Ministry said the 10 formations deployed by the Indian Army were Combined Arms Brigade-sized forces.
On the overall security situation along the northern front, the ministry said 2025 saw a “significant reduction” in the deployment of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces opposite India’s northern borders. The Defence Ministry said the Indian Army continued to secure the northern borders, while political, diplomatic and military-level interactions between India and China contributed to positive developments and helped maintain greater stability along the frontier. The ministry said developments in bilateral relations received further momentum following high-level political engagement between the two countries.
These are self-sustaining military formations comprising different combat arms, including infantry, armour, artillery and air defence, operating under a common structure.
On Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Ministry said the overall security situation remained firmly under control due to the sustained and relentless efforts of the Army. The annual report was released as Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to China after participating in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where leaders of member countries discussed a range of global and regional issues.
“The positive developments in bilateral relationships between both countries were further reinforced during Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in August 2025,” the report said.
