Washington, May 25 —Despite recent border clashes with Pakistan, India considers China its “primary adversary” and treats Pakistan as a “manageable” or “ancillary” security issue, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) latest Worldwide Threat Assessment released Saturday.
The comprehensive report, which includes developments through May 11, outlines strategic perceptions, military postures, and geopolitical threats across regions. It notes that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to remain focused on countering Beijing, asserting global leadership, and enhancing India’s defense capabilities.
“India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India’s and Pakistan’s militaries,” the DIA stated. The report also warns that tensions along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) remain volatile and could escalate quickly.
In October 2024, India and China agreed to pull back troops from two contested positions in eastern Ladakh, but unresolved border friction continues. To reinforce its deterrence posture, India commissioned its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat, last year — capable of launching nuclear missiles from underwater.
On Pakistan, the report underscores Islamabad’s view of India as an “existential threat.” To counterbalance India’s conventional superiority, Pakistan is expected to continue investing in battlefield nuclear weapons. The DIA believes Pakistan’s weapons of mass destruction programs are largely sourced from China, with components occasionally transshipped via Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE.
“Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China’s economic and military largesse,” the report adds. It further flags ongoing terrorism concerns in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious security challenges to regional stability.
The assessment paints an expansive picture of China’s military and technological ambitions. It says the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively integrating advanced technologies to gain disruptive combat capabilities, while Beijing pursues dominance in critical tech sectors.
The report also accuses China of illicitly acquiring U.S. intellectual property through state-sponsored researchers embedded in programs tied to the U.S. Department of Defense.
China’s nuclear arsenal has now likely surpassed 600 operational warheads, with projections pointing to over 1,000 by 2030 — many maintained at heightened readiness for faster deployment. The nation is also rapidly expanding its space capabilities, fielding more than 1,000 satellites, including about 500 dedicated to remote sensing and surveillance — second only to the United States.
The PLA now possesses operational anti-satellite missiles aimed at low Earth orbit assets, alongside sophisticated electronic warfare tools capable of jamming enemy satellite communications and GPS networks.
“Beijing is not only advancing its ground forces but preparing for space and electronic conflicts,” the report concluded, warning of China and Russia’s aggressive development of new-age weapons such as hypersonic glide vehicles.
