Situation along northern borders remains stable, yet sensitive: Defence ministry

New Delhi:  The situation along the country’s northern borders remains stable, yet sensitive, the defence ministry said on Wednesday, and asserted that the deployment of the Indian Army in all sectors along the Line of Actual Control is “robust, well poised” and prepared to deal with any “emerging contingency”.

Also, bilateral interaction between India and China at political, diplomatic and military levels have facilitated “positive developments and stabilisation” on the northern borders, it said.

The ministry on Wednesday issued a statement, carrying an analysis of the events and milestones for it in the year gone by.

It also mentioned the situation along the northern front and the state of India-China ties after the process of disengagement of troops from both sides, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“After the disengagement agreement achieved in Depsang and Demchok in 2024, year 2025 witnessed reduced deployment levels of PLA, both opposite the northern borders and in traditional training areas,” it said.

“The PLA (People’s Liberation Army of China) maintained 10 Combined Arms Brigade-sized forces each in tactical/operational depth opposite the northern borders and in training areas,” the statement said.

The ministry further said, “The overall BMP pattern remained unchanged from 2024.”

The deployment of the Indian Army in all sectors along the LAC is “robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency”, it added.

The country’s defence preparedness has been enhanced with the infusion of new generation equipment and the deployment of newly created force multipliers of Rudra Brigades, Divyastra Batteries, and Bhairav Battalions along the northern borders, the statement said.

“The northern borders also witnessed significant improvement of infrastructure, connectivity, and billeting in all sectors,” it added.

Also, India’s military actions are “calibrated”, and the approach is to respond to PLA activities to achieve “peace and tranquillity, adhering to the principle of ‘Mutual and Equal’ security”, the ministry said.

During 2025, various channels of communication were effectively utilised to address mutual concerns along the LAC, it said.

“The year witnessed renewed engagement with the 33rd and 34th rounds of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting in March and July, 2025, respectively, followed by the 24th round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on August 19, 2025 at New Delhi,” it said.

The “positive developments” in the bilateral relationship between both countries was further reinforced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the SCO Summit in Tianjin in August 2025.

“The constructive discourse of relations was also reflected during the 23rd Corps Commander Level Meet (senior highest military commander level meet) conducted in the western sector (Eastern Ladakh) on October 25-26, 2025. At ground level, Border Personnel Meetings continued with the PLA in all sectors in a cordial and friendly environment to resolve issues of concern,” reads the analysis.

The ministry also said the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir “remains firmly under control due to the relentless efforts of the Indian Army”.

People have chosen to follow the path of development and has been actively participating in large numbers in all government and Indian Army-run initiatives, it said.

The ‘whole-of-nation’ approach has resulted in “reduction in violence levels, scaled down protests and zero incidents of stone pelting”.