US Warns India of China’s Two-Front Strategy: Calm LAC, Arms Boost for Pakistan

The United States has cautioned India against what it describes as China’s dual-track strategy—reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) while simultaneously strengthening military ties with Pakistan—warning that the approach poses long-term challenges to India’s regional security.

According to the US Department of Defense’s 2025 Annual Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, Beijing has pursued tactical de-escalation with New Delhi even as it expands its defence footprint in South Asia.

The report notes that India and China reached an understanding in October 2024 to disengage from the remaining standoff points along the LAC, signalling a temporary easing of tensions after years of military confrontation. However, the Pentagon assessment suggests that China’s primary objective behind calming the border is to stabilise ties with India and prevent a deeper strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington.

Despite the disengagement, the report highlights a persistent trust deficit between the two Asian powers, rooted in past border clashes and China’s broader regional conduct. It identifies Arunachal Pradesh as a continuing flashpoint, noting that Beijing still labels the state a “core interest,” placing it in the same category as Taiwan and the South China Sea—an assertion the report says directly challenges India’s sovereignty.

While pursuing diplomatic engagement with India, China has significantly deepened its military cooperation with Pakistan, the report states. Since 2020, Beijing has delivered 36 J-10C fighter jets to Islamabad, sharply enhancing the Pakistan Air Force’s combat capabilities. China and Pakistan continue to co-produce JF-17 fighter aircraft, and Pakistan remains a major recipient of Chinese armed drones and naval platforms.

The Pentagon also flags recent joint counterterrorism exercises conducted by China and Pakistan in December 2024, underscoring the depth of their defence partnership. It adds that Pakistan could potentially host future Chinese military facilities, a development that would extend the People’s Liberation Army’s operational reach close to India’s borders.

On the preparedness front, the report notes that China’s Western Theatre Command—tasked with contingencies involving India—conducted intensive high-altitude and low-oxygen military exercises in 2024. These drills indicate sustained training for mountain warfare scenarios despite ongoing diplomatic engagement along the LAC.

Overall, the Pentagon’s assessment concludes that while Beijing has opted for tactical calm along the India-China border, it continues to exert strategic pressure by challenging India’s territorial claims and reinforcing Pakistan’s military strength. The report signals that New Delhi must remain vigilant as China balances de-escalation with sustained regional leverage.