PLA troop deployment along LAC reduced in 2025, but 10 combined arms brigades remain: MoD report
An Indian Army jawan looking at the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. File | Photo credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
In 2025, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployment along India’s northern border was significantly curtailed, although Beijing continued to maintain 10 combined arms brigade-sized formations in areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in traditional training areas, according to the Ministry of Defense’s 2025-2026 annual report released on Sunday, September 2, 2026).
The report said the Indian Army’s deployment in all sectors along the LAC remained robust, well prepared and ready to deal with any emerging contingency.
Regarding India-China relations, the ministry said sustained political, diplomatic and military interactions between the two countries have facilitated positive developments along the northern border and contributed to stability.
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Dialogues on all levels
In 2025, key dialogue mechanisms were renewed, including the 33rd and 34th meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), held in March and July. The Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the India-China border issue was also resumed, with rounds taking place in December 2024 and August 2025.
The report said the improvement in bilateral relations was further boosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin in August 2025.
The military engagement also recorded a positive trajectory, when a meeting at the level of the commander of the 23rd Corps was held in eastern Ladakh on October 25 and 26, 2025. The ministry described the meeting as part of a constructive discourse between the two sides.
At the ground level, border staff meetings continued between the Indian Army and the PLA across all sectors, with the report saying that these encounters were conducted in a cordial and friendly environment to resolve issues.
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Gradual stabilization of ties
The latest assessment comes against the backdrop of a long-running military dispute along the LAC since 2020 and suggests a gradual stabilization of the situation after sustained diplomatic and military clashes.
On 6 September, amid continued concerns over conflicting territorial claims and military build-up along the LAC, the Indian and Chinese militaries held their first Corps Commander-level meeting in the eastern sector, marking a significant expansion of the military dialogue mechanism beyond the Ladakh sector.
The meeting was held at the Vacha-Damai border personnel rendezvous point in Arunachal Pradesh, amid reports of tension in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district.
Published – 13 Sep 2026 21:02 IST