We have calculated the regional stress field in the Indian plate, implementing dependence of the slab pull and ridge push on the age of the oceanic lithosphere in the finite element procedure. The high level of the calculated stress field (order of a few kbar) and the dominance of compression in the plate are consequences of the unique dynamic situation of the present-day Indian plate. The calculated stress field explains the concentration of intraplate deformation in the region of the Ninetyeast Ridge and yields insight into the variations in stress directions in the Australian continent.