India views China as its primary strategic adversary and sees Pakistan as a manageable security concern, according to the US Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment.
The report emphasizes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defense agenda is likely to focus on enhancing military power, asserting global leadership, and countering Beijing’s influence. “India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed,” the DIA noted, despite recent border skirmishes with both countries.
Following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April, India conducted missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This escalated into a brief conflict between 7–10 May involving missile, drone, and artillery exchanges before both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
India continues to expand its defense capabilities through indigenous production, testing advanced missiles like the Agni-I Prime and Agni-V, and commissioning its second nuclear-powered submarine to strengthen its nuclear triad.
On the diplomatic front, the report suggests that India will maintain strategic ties with Russia to fulfill defense and economic goals, even as it reduces dependency on Russian military hardware.
Regarding Pakistan, the DIA highlighted the country’s focus on deterring India through nuclear modernization and managing internal threats, including the rise of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch insurgents. Over 2,500 people were killed in Pakistan in militant attacks during 2024, it said.
Pakistan is also expanding its nuclear arsenal and continues to acquire WMD-related materials, primarily from China and intermediaries in Hong Kong, Turkey, and the UAE. Tensions with China have been strained by attacks on Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects, with seven killed in 2024.
Additionally, Pakistan’s volatile relations with Iran and Afghanistan persist. The report cites cross-border strikes between Pakistan and Iran in early 2024 and artillery exchanges with the Taliban regime in March 2025.
The DIA operates under the US Department of Defense and specializes in military intelligence assessments worldwide.
