India, on Thursday, came out with a clear and actionable vision for its defence diplomacy for the next decade, identifying stronger strategic partnerships, capacity building, indigenous defence exports and maritime security as key areas of focus.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the ‘RAKSHA’ document on defence diplomacy, which is a comprehensive framework that outlines India's strategic roadmap for global defence partnerships over the next 10 years.
According to a defence ministry release, the document signals a shift towards a more proactive approach to India's international defence engagement. It seeks to align the country's national security objectives with greater global cooperation while promoting long-term stability and mutual growth.
At the centre of the defence roadmap are four major areas that will guide India's defence diplomacy.
The first is strategic partnerships, as India looking to deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with other countries.
The second is capacity building. The roadmap calls for stronger joint military exercises, expanded training programmes and greater sharing of best practices with friendly nations.
Another major focus is indigenous defence exports. India plans to use defence diplomacy to promote Make-in-India military platforms in overseas markets and strengthen its position as a reliable global defence manufacturing hub.
Maritime security forms the fourth key pillar. The roadmap seeks to strengthen India's role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
“As defence diplomacy is a core pillar of India’s foreign policy, this document provides a clear, actionable vision for the next decade, ensuring that India remains an anchor of peace, stability, and rule-based order in an evolving global landscape,” the release from the defence ministry stated.
The defence ministry, in a tweet, said the framework aligns national security with proactive international cooperation and seeks to position India as a key defence manufacturing hub and an anchor of regional stability.
"Built on core pillars of strategic partnerships, capacity building, indigenous exports under #MakeInIndia, and #maritimesecurity, the initiative reinforces India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the #IndianOceanRegion," the ministry added.
