India charts decade-long defence diplomacy course for regional partnerships

The roadmap prioritises deepening bilateral and multilateral security relationships with strategic partners, positioning defence cooperation as a cornerstone of India's foreign policy architecture. The initiative encompasses increased joint military exercises, enhanced intelligence sharing mechanisms, and coordinated operational capabilities with allied nations across South and Southeast Asia.

A key pillar of the strategy focuses on promoting Indian defence platforms and indigenous military hardware in the global marketplace. The plan seeks to establish India as a credible defence technology provider, leveraging domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependence on external suppliers while creating new revenue streams for the defence sector.

The strategy also emphasises India's expanded naval role in the Indian Ocean region, reflecting New Delhi's commitment to safeguarding critical sea lanes and maintaining freedom of navigation. Enhanced coast guard coordination, anti-piracy operations, and maritime surveillance capabilities form integral components of the roadmap.

The 10-year vision represents a systematic approach to translating India's strategic interests into concrete diplomatic and military initiatives, officials said. The plan is expected to guide defence ministry operations across the forthcoming decade while adapting to emerging regional security challenges.