China thinned Himalayan troop presence in 2025, India defence report says; terms border situation 'stable' - WION

**China Scales Back Himalayan Troop Presence, India Calls Border Situation “Stable”**

New Delhi’s 2025 Ministry of Defence (MoD) annual report reveals that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has pared down its forward deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to ten combined‑arms brigades – a marked reduction from the force levels recorded a few years earlier. The MoD’s assessment, released in February, characterises the current posture as “stable” despite the lingering strategic rivalry that has defined Sino‑Indian relations since the 1962 war. Analysts note that the cutback coincides with a broader diplomatic thaw, including high‑level talks in Beijing and New Delhi earlier this year, but the report cautions that the term “stable” reflects a relative calm rather than an absence of friction.

The reduction follows a series of confidence‑building measures (CBMs) agreed under the 1993 and 1996 accords, which have been periodically refreshed since 2020. Indian sources say the PLA’s withdrawal primarily affected forward‑area posts in the Uttarakhand and Sikkim sectors, while maintaining a robust presence in the Ladakh region, where both sides continue to rotate troops and conduct joint patrols. Chinese officials, speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, framed the drawdown as a “mutual effort to de‑escalate” and emphasized that the PLA remains “fully capable of safeguarding its sovereign interests” along the LAC.

While the MoD’s report underscores a lower Chinese footprint, it also highlights India’s ongoing modernization drive, with the Indian Army deploying additional mountain infantry units, artillery, and UAV surveillance assets to sustain deterrence. Observers stress that the stability of the frontier is fragile; sporadic skirmishes over map‑making and infrastructure development have persisted, and both capitals retain the option to reinforce their respective sectors should tensions rise. The report concludes that continued dialogue, adherence to CBMs, and transparent communication will be critical to preserving the nascent equilibrium on the world’s highest battlefield.

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