Raksha Mantri unveils ‘RAKSHA’ defence diplomacy document outlining India’s strategic roadmap & vision for global partnerships over next 10 years

International Relations & Defence Policy · 4 September 2026 · Based on PIB (original report)

2-minute summary

The Raksha Mantri has unveiled the 'RAKSHA' defence diplomacy document, outlining India's strategic roadmap and vision for global partnerships over the next decade. This policy framework seeks to institutionalize and project India's growing defense capabilities, technological self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat), and cooperative security architectures on the international stage. Defense diplomacy has increasingly become a critical instrument of India's foreign policy, moving beyond traditional military exercises to encompass defense exports, capacity building of friendly foreign nations, joint research and development, and maritime security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The document sets a clear decadal vision for positioning India as a preferred security partner and net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and broader global south, aligning strategic autonomy with proactive minilateral and multilateral engagements.

Why it's in the news

The Raksha Mantri unveiled the 'RAKSHA' defence diplomacy document, establishing a comprehensive 10-year strategic roadmap to guide India's global military partnerships and defence cooperation initiatives.

Background and context

India's approach to defence diplomacy has evolved significantly over the post-independence era. Initially rooted in non-alignment and strategic restraint, Indian defence engagement gradually expanded through UN peacekeeping missions, military training assistance, and bilateral exercises. In recent decades, particularly with the rise of traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, India's defence diplomacy has taken a more proactive shape. Concepts like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, joint patrols, and defense equipment exports (such as BrahMos missiles and the Advanced Light Helicopter) have transformed India from a major arms importer into an emerging defense exporter and a recognized 'net security provider' in the region. The 'RAKSHA' document consolidates these evolving strategic pillars into a formalized decade-long vision.

Government schemes

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Defence Indigenisation) — Underpins India's defence diplomacy by boosting domestic manufacturing capacities to supply equipment and hardware to friendly foreign countries.

International organisations

• Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) — Serves as a key multilateral platform for India to advance its Indo-Pacific strategy and maritime domain awareness cooperation.
• Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) — Provides a regional framework for maritime security, trade, and cooperative development aligned with India's regional vision.

Mains practice: Examine the evolving role of defence diplomacy as a core instrument of India's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific era.

Introduction:

Defence diplomacy has transitioned from a peripheral element of statecraft into a primary instrument of India's strategic outreach. Guided by frameworks such as the newly unveiled 'RAKSHA' document, India's approach integrates military cooperation, capacity building, and indigenous defense production to secure its national interests and foster regional stability.

Body:

• Shift from Buyer to Security Partner: Historically an arms importer, India now leverages joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defense exports (e.g., BrahMos, artillery systems) to build long-term strategic trust with friendly nations.

• Indo-Pacific and SAGAR Vision: India utilizes defence diplomacy to operationalize its 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy, ensuring freedom of navigation, countering unilateral maritime dominance, and providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

• Institutionalized Partnerships: Engagement through minilateral platforms like the Quad, bilateral agreements (such as LEMOA, COMCASA), and naval exercises (Malabar, Milan) strengthens interoperability and collective deterrence against non-traditional threats.

• Industrial Synergy: Aligning defence diplomacy with 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' ensures that foreign military cooperation directly feeds into domestic manufacturing, creating sustainable supply chains and technological partnerships.

Conclusion:

By institutionalizing a decadal roadmap through policy initiatives like 'RAKSHA', India is successfully projecting itself as a credible, responsible, and capable net security provider, balancing strategic autonomy with proactive global partnerships.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding India's defence diplomacy and strategic framework: 1. Defence diplomacy in India is exclusively limited to holding joint military exercises with neighboring nations. 2. The concept of SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect because defence diplomacy goes far beyond joint exercises; it includes defence exports, capacity building, military training, intelligence sharing, and HADR operations. Statement 2 is correct; SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) is a key pillar of India's maritime and defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.

Q2. Which of the following best describes the core objectives associated with strategic defence roadmap documents like 'RAKSHA' unveiled by the Ministry of Defence?

1. To outline a long-term strategic vision for global defense partnerships and indigenous capability projection
2. To replace the annual Union Budget allocation for the armed forces
3. To streamline civil services recruitment for the Ministry of Defence
4. To regulate domestic taxation policies for foreign defense contractors

Answer: A. Strategic defence roadmap documents outline long-term vision, global defense partnerships, international capacity building, and capability projection over a defined period.

Q3. In the context of India's international relations and security policy, what does the term 'Net Security Provider' imply?

1. Providing cybersecurity firewalls to all member states of the United Nations
2. Monopolizing international arms trade in South Asia
3. Relying entirely on foreign superpowers for domestic defense needs
4. Possessing the capacity and willingness to protect regional stability and assist neighbors against maritime and terrestrial security threats

Answer: D. A 'net security provider' refers to a nation that has the economic, military, and political capacity to maintain regional security, assist smaller nations in security emergencies, and ensure stability in shared maritime zones.

Revision flashcards

• What ministry unveiled the 'RAKSHA' defence diplomacy document? Ministry of Defence (Raksha Mantri).
• What is the primary time horizon outlined in the 'RAKSHA' defence diplomacy document? A 10-year strategic roadmap and vision for global partnerships.
• What does the acronym SAGAR stand for in India's maritime strategy? Security and Growth for All in the Region.
• How does domestic indigenisation (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) support defence diplomacy? By enabling India to export reliable defence hardware and equipment to friendly foreign countries, building long-term strategic partnerships.
• What role do HADR missions play in India's foreign policy? Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations project India as a first responder and a responsible net security provider in the region.