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 There was a significant reduction in the deployment of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along India’s northern borders in 2025, even as 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 Defence Ministry’s annual report for 2025-2026, released on Sunday (September 13, 2026).The report said the Indian Army’s deployment across all sectors along the LAC remained robust, well poised, and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency.On India-China engagements, the Ministry said sustained political, diplomatic, and military interactions between the two countries have facilitated positive developments along the northern borders and contributed to stability.Also Read | India, China look to advance border delimitation in Beijing talksDialogues at all levelsThe year 2025 saw the resumption of key dialogue mechanisms, including the 33rd and 34th meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), held in March and July respectively. The Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the India-China boundary question also resumed, with rounds held in December 2024 and August 2025.The report said the improvement in bilateral relations was further reinforced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in August 2025.The military-to-military engagement also saw a positive trajectory, with the 23rd Corps Commander-level meeting held in eastern Ladakh on October 25 and 26, 2025. The meeting was described by the Ministry as part of the constructive discourse between the two sides.At the ground level, border personnel meetings between the Indian Army and the PLA continued across all sectors, with the report stating that these engagements were conducted in a cordial and friendly environment to address issues of concern.Also Read | India, China to push for ‘early and substantial harvest’ of border delimitationGradual stabilisation of tiesThe latest assessment comes against the backdrop of the prolonged military standoff along the LAC since 2020 and indicates a gradual stabilisation of the situation following sustained diplomatic and military-level engagements.On September 6, amid continuing concerns over conflicting territorial claims and military buildup along the LAC, the Indian and Chinese armies 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 meeting point in Arunachal Pradesh, amid reports of tension in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district. Published - September 13, 2026 09:02 pm IST