New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on September 3, 2026, released the ‘RAKSHA’ document on defence diplomacy, outlining India’s strategic roadmap and vision for strengthening global defence partnerships over the next 10 years.
The comprehensive framework seeks to align India’s national security objectives with proactive global cooperation while promoting long-term stability, mutual growth and a rules-based international order.
‘RAKSHA’ Sets Strategic Vision for India’s Defence Diplomacy
The release of the RAKSHA defence diplomacy document marks a shift in India’s strategic engagement, with greater emphasis on proactive cooperation with partner countries.
The document provides a clear and actionable vision for the next decade, focusing on strengthening India’s role as a reliable security partner and contributing to peace and stability in an evolving global landscape.
Key Pillars of the RAKSHA Defence Diplomacy Document
The strategic blueprint identifies four major pillars for India’s defence diplomacy:
- Strategic Partnerships: Deepening bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with partner nations.
- Capacity Building: Expanding joint military exercises, training programmes and the sharing of best practices with friendly countries.
- Indigenous Defence Exports: Promoting Make-in-India defence platforms and positioning India as a reliable global defence manufacturing hub.
- Maritime Security: Strengthening India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
Defence Diplomacy as a Core Pillar of Foreign Policy
The RAKSHA document underlines the importance of defence diplomacy as a core component of India’s foreign policy.
The framework aims to strengthen India’s engagement with friendly nations through defence cooperation, capacity building and technology and equipment partnerships. It also seeks to contribute to a stable and rules-based international environment.
The 10-year roadmap is intended to ensure that India remains an anchor of peace, stability and rule-based order amid changing global security dynamics.
Senior Defence and Foreign Policy Officials Attend Launch
Several senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Council Secretariat were present at the release ceremony in New Delhi.
Those attending included:
- General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff
- Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary
- Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production)
- Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff
- Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
- Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee
Other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Council Secretariat were also present on the occasion.
India’s 10-Year Defence Diplomacy Roadmap
Through the RAKSHA document, India has laid out a long-term framework for strengthening defence partnerships and expanding cooperation with countries around the world.
The roadmap combines strategic partnerships, military capacity building, indigenous defence exports and maritime security to advance India’s national security interests while supporting regional and global stability.
