New Delhi: China has substantially scaled back the deployment of its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during 2025, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The ministry has uploaded the Annual Report 2025-26 on its website last week.
The ministry in its annual report indicated the withdrawal of 10 combined-arms brigades of the PLA from the LAC. The ministry further underscored that the Indian Army maintained a “robust, well-poised” deployment across all LAC sectors and remained fully prepared to respond to any emerging contingency,
“The year 2025 witnessed a significant reduction in the deployment of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Forces opposite the Northern Borders, with 10 Combined Arms Brigade-sized 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,” the ministry said.
The withdrwal in Chinese troop presence followed heightened diplomatic and military engagement between India and China, which the ministry said contributed to greater stability along the Northern Borders.
” The bilateral interactions between India and China at political, diplomatic and military levels facilitated positive developments along the Northern Borders, leading to stability. The year witnessed renewed engagements with 33rd and 34th round of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings in March & July 2025 respectively,” the report stated.
PM Modi-Xi Meeting:
Meanwhile, on Saturday, held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The much-awaited meeting between the two leaders focused on border issues, trade and investment.
During the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that both countries can “fully learn” from each other’s strengths and support one another. Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for his first visit to India in seven years.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the support and cooperation received from China during India’s BRICS chairmanship.
The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples.
Defence Ministry On Jammu and Kashmir Situation:
As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, the Defence Ministry said that the situation remains under control.
“The security situation in J&K remains firmly under control due to the relentless efforts of the IA. The same has resulted in a reduction in violence levels, scaled-down protests, and zero incidents of stone pelting,” the ministry said.
“The 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,” it added.