US Report: India Now Sees China as Primary Adversary, Pakistan Viewed as Secondary Concern

New Delhi, May 25, 2025: A recent report by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) states that India increasingly views China not Pakistan as its primary adversary, signalling a significant strategic shift in New Delhi’s security outlook.

The report, released as part of the annual “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” outlines that while Pakistan remains a security concern, China poses the most formidable long-term challenge to India’s national interests, particularly due to ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), aggressive infrastructure build-up by China, and unresolved territorial disputes.

According to the DIA, India’s military modernization efforts and its foreign policy realignments are increasingly designed to counter Chinese influence in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. The report notes that New Delhi has expanded military deployments along the northern borders, upgraded surveillance capabilities, and strengthened infrastructure to maintain deterrence against Beijing.

India’s defense posture, as per the DIA, is also marked by a shift in emphasis towards multi-domain preparedness, integration of cutting-edge technologies, and enhancement of maritime security. Strategic partnerships, especially with the US, France, and other Quad members, are cited as further signs of India’s intent to balance China’s regional ambitions.

The report contrasts this with New Delhi’s handling of Pakistan, which it says is now treated as a “manageable” threat. The focus, it adds, has moved from a Pakistan-centric security approach to one where long-term strategic competition with China dominates defense and diplomatic planning.

This assessment aligns with India’s recent military operations, including enhanced infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, and growing joint exercises with Western allies.