Defence Ministry Reports Significant Reduction in Chinese Deployment Along Northern Borders

The Defence Ministry’s annual report for 2025-26, released on Tuesday, has stated that there has been a significant reduction in the deployment of Chinese forces along the northern borders. This development follows India’s move to deploy 10 brigade-size forces in areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in training areas.

A brigade typically consists of around 3,000 soldiers along with support units. The report describes the Indian Army’s deployment in all sectors along the LAC as “robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency.”

The 10 brigade-size forces are of the combined arms type. This composition refers to a self-sustaining military unit that includes different combat branches such as infantry, tanks, artillery, and air defence under a single umbrella. This enables the unit to fight independently and most effectively.

“The year 2025 witnessed significant reduction in deployment of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Forces opposite Northern Borders, with 10 Combined Arms Brigade size forces each deployed in areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in traditional training areas,” the report said.

While the Indian Army secured the northern borders, bilateral interactions between India and China at the political, diplomatic, and military levels also facilitated positive developments, leading to stability, the report noted.

The report highlighted renewed engagements, including the 33rd and 34th rounds of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings held in March and July 2025, respectively. It also mentioned the resumption of Special Representatives (SR) talks to address the India-China boundary question, with two rounds held in December 2024 and August 2025.

The positive developments in bilateral relations were further reinforced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in August 2025, the report said. It also noted that the 23rd Corps Commander Level Meet (Senior Highest Military Commander Level Meet) in Eastern Ladakh on October 25-26, 2025, reflected constructive discourse. At the ground level, Border Personnel Meetings continue with the PLA in all sectors in a cordial and friendly environment to resolve issues of concern.

The report comes a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping returned home from the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

On Jammu and Kashmir, the report said the security situation remains firmly under control due to the relentless efforts of the army. “The awaam (public) has chosen to follow the path of development and has been actively participating in large numbers in all government and IA run initiatives. The same has resulted in reduction in violence levels, scaled down protests and zero incidents of stone pelting,” the report stated.

It said the situation within Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC) had significantly altered during Operation Sindoor. It stabilised to a large extent following the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) level talks on May 10 and 12, 2025. However, the report added that unpredictability continues.