India's Military Posture in 2025: Northern Stability, Northeastern Progress, and Emerging Threats on Western Front
The Indian Army has reported a year of measured stability and strategic recalibration across the country’s sensitive frontiers in 2025, with progress in disengagement talks along the northern borders with China, improved security across the Northeast, and continuing counter-infiltration operations along the western boundary with Pakistan.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the northern sector has remained “stable yet sensitive” following the 2024 disengagement agreements in Depsang and Demchok.
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| File Photo: Spokesperson MoD |
The Indian Army’s deployment along the LAC, the Ministry affirmed, remains “robust, well-poised, and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency.” This preparedness has been further reinforced by the integration of new-generation equipment and specialized combat formations, namely Rudra Brigades, Divyastra Batteries, and Bhairav Battalions, that now serve as force multipliers along the strategic northern arc.
Throughout 2025, bilateral mechanisms between India and China were actively used to maintain lines of communication and diffuse potential escalations. The 33rd and 34th rounds of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), held in March and July respectively, were followed by the 24th Special Representatives Talks in New Delhi in August.
The Ministry of Defence emphasized that these engagements reflect a mutual interest in stabilizing border dynamics, reinforced further during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation at the SCO Summit in Tianjin. A subsequent Corps Commander-level meeting in Eastern Ladakh in October continued the trend of constructive military dialogue.
On the Western Front, while the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) has largely held since the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks in May 2025, India has observed heightened infiltration attempts by Pakistan.
These include attempts to exploit the Poonch-Rajouri region as a potential staging ground for proxy warfare, as well as an increase in cross-border drone activity, particularly in the Punjab and Rajasthan sectors.
The Ministry of Defence reported a total of 791 drone intrusions across the western sector this year. Indian security forces successfully neutralized 237 drones, of which five carried war-like stores and 72 carried narcotics.
The use of jammers and spoofers by Indian forces has significantly mitigated the threat, though the tactic remains a persistent concern, especially with increasing weapon and drug smuggling attempts via the International Border (IB).
The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains under control, the Army has stated, owing to the “Whole of Nation” approach and consistent counter-insurgency efforts.
The Ministry noted a marked decline in local recruitment, zero stone-pelting incidents, and improved civic engagement with both government and military initiatives. Still, infiltration attempts via the IB and LoC have continued, indicating a sustained proxy strategy by Pakistan.
In the Northeast, the internal security landscape has shown significant progress, led by coordinated operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and local agencies.
The Ministry reported that 26 insurgents were neutralized, 1,024 apprehended, 111 surrendered, and over 540 weapons recovered in 2025 alone.
In Manipur, the imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025 led to better inter-agency coordination. Notable developments, such as the peaceful hosting of the Durand Cup in Imphal, the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul, and the renewal of ceasefire agreements with Kuki insurgent groups, were viewed as markers of returning stability.
The Prime Minister’s visit in September 2025 was seen as a symbolic reaffirmation of the Centre’s commitment to peace in the state, MoD said in a statement.
The situation along the India-Myanmar Border (IMB) remains sensitive due to ongoing conflict within Myanmar, which has led to the influx of over 44,000 civilians into Indian territory.
However, the Indian Army and security forces, with support from local administrations, have managed to prevent regional destabilization through enhanced surveillance, intelligence, and border domination.
Alongside military developments, India continued to invest heavily in infrastructure development in forward areas, particularly along the Northern borders. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed over 4,595 km of roads in the past five years, with 1,125 km completed in 2025 alone. An outlay of ₹23,625 crore has been sanctioned for strategic road projects.
Further, the Trans-Kashmir Connectivity Project, encompassing 717 km of terrain from Poonch to Sonamarg, including key passes like Sadhna, Z Gali, and Razdhan, has been endorsed for high-specification development with multiple tunnels planned. The project is to be executed in phases by BRO under MoD (GS) funding, aimed at improving inter-valley and forward connectivity, vital for both defence and civilian logistics.
Additionally, the Government has accorded in-principle approval for seven new tunnels to enhance all-weather access to critical Northern sectors. This will help reduce winter stocking dependencies and limit the need for expensive aerial resupply operations, while simultaneously opening remote areas to tourism and broader economic activity.
Efforts are also underway to decongest the Siliguri Corridor, a key strategic bottleneck connecting Northeast India to the mainland. In collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), projects to create redundancy in the communication network and expand force preservation infrastructure are being executed.
Across all theatres, from border security to internal insurgency management and strategic mobility, 2025 marked a year of consolidation, recalibration, and forward planning for India’s defence establishment.
The Ministry of Defence, in its year-end assessment, underlined that while the broader strategic landscape remains fraught with uncertainty, India’s military posture is evolving proactively, and is calibrated for both deterrence and diplomacy in a complex regional environment.