The US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) ‘World Threat Assessment’ report for 2025 highlights India’s evolving security priorities, emphasizing China as its primary adversary while Pakistan is considered a secondary concern
Key Takeaways:
- India’s strategic focus is shifting towards countering China’s influence, with Pakistan now seen as an ancillary security issue
- Pakistan views India as an existential threat and is modernizing its military, including battlefield nuclear weapons, with significant support from China
- India’s defence priorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi include demonstrating global leadership, military modernization, and strengthening partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific.
- Nuclear capabilities remain a critical factor—India and Pakistan each possess about 170 nuclear warheads, while China has expanded its arsenal to over 600 operational warheads, projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030
- Recent military actions, such as India’s Operation Sindoor, highlight New Delhi’s willingness to retaliate against terrorist infrastructure but with a broader focus on China’s challenge
- Ongoing military modernization, deep-rooted mistrust, and the risk of escalation, particularly along the India-China border, continue to shape regional security concerns