Why in News?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released ‘RAKSHA’, a comprehensive document on defence diplomacy, in New Delhi on 3 September 2026. The document presents India’s 10-year strategic roadmap and vision for global defence partnerships, linking national security with deeper international cooperation.
Key Features of ‘RAKSHA’
The document focuses on four major pillars:
- Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening bilateral and multilateral defence and security cooperation with friendly countries.
- Capacity Building: Expanding joint military exercises, training programmes and sharing of defence expertise and best practices.
- Indigenous Defence Exports: Promoting Make in India defence platforms and strengthening India’s position as a reliable global defence manufacturing and export hub.
- Maritime Security: Enhancing India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
What is Defence Diplomacy?
- Defence diplomacy refers to the use of defence and military cooperation to achieve a country's foreign policy and security objectives.
- It includes activities such as military exercises, defence training, capacity building, defence agreements, technology cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
