- By Ajeet Kumar
- Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Chinese troop deployment along LAC significantly reduced in 2025.
- Jammu and Kashmir recorded zero stone-pelting incidents.
- Indian Army maintains robust posture along the LAC.
New Delhi: Chinese troop deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) saw a marked reduction in 2025, according to the Ministry of Defence’s annual report for 2025-26. The report states that the year witnessed a "significant reduction in the deployment of People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces opposite the northern borders." Besides, the annual report also highlights that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is under control, with "zero" stone-pelting incidents recorded.
Notably, the report coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, where both sides highlighted the need to maintain peace in the border regions.
According to the Annual Defence Ministry Report 2025-26, the PLA maintained 10 combined arms brigade-sized formations along the LAC, with another 10 stationed in traditional training areas away from the frontier. This is estimated to amount to roughly 40,000–50,000 Chinese troops deployed along the LAC, and a similar number in rear training zones.
"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 deployment of IA in all sectors along the LAC is robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency," read the report.
READ FULL DEFENCE MINISTRY ANNUAL REPORT 2025-26 HERE
Although the report stressed that the 323-page document does not provide exact figures for the previous year, prior assessments indicated that more than 60,000 PLA troops were present in the Ladakh sector alone before the October 2024 understanding on disengagement from all friction points. That agreement ended a military standoff that had lasted over four years and brought bilateral relations to their lowest point in six decades.
India's own military posture remained strong
The report notes that the Indian Army's deployment across all sectors of the LAC is "robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency." The reduction in Chinese forces is linked to sustained political, diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries. These interactions, the ministry said, facilitated positive developments and greater stability along the northern borders.
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Key mechanisms that resumed or continued during the period include rounds of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary question, and Corps Commander-level meetings.
BRICS 2024: A breakthrough in India-Chian relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in August last year further reinforced the improving trajectory of ties. In 2024 at the BRICS Summit in Russia, the PM Modi-Xi meeting marked a major breakthrough in relations following the deadly clash in the Galwan region, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers in 2020. Later that year, both sides withdrew troops from the patrolling points.
“Border Personnel Meetings also continued across sectors in a cordial atmosphere, allowing both sides to address local issues,” according to the recent Defence Ministry report.
No mention of recent Arunachal friction
However, the annual report covers developments up to 31 March 2026 and therefore does not reflect more recent friction reported in the Taksing area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district. Overall, the assessment points to a gradual stabilisation of the situation along the LAC following the 2024 disengagement, even as both sides continue to maintain significant military capabilities in the region.
Situation in J-K under control: Report
"The security situation in J&K remains firmly under control due to the relentless efforts of IA (Indian Army). Awaam (people) 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," read the report.
"Situation within J&K and along the Line of Control (LC) had significantly altered during Operation SINDOOR. However, after the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) level talks on 10 and 12 May 2025, the situation has stabilised to a large extent, though the unpredictability continues," the report mentioned about the situation in J-K," added the report.