Defence Diplomacy

  SANSAD TV - Discussion   May 19, 2024   185  Add to Reading List
Defence Diplomacy

Defence diplomacy is rapidly emerging as a vital instrument for nations to advance their strategic interests on the global stage.

What is Defence Diplomacy?

Defence diplomacy encompasses a range of military-to-military interactions, activities, and policies aimed at enhancing national security. Key aspects include:

  • Advanced naval engagements to strengthen maritime security and collaboration.
  • Increased joint military exercises to boost interoperability and mutual understanding.
  • Expanded efforts in defence exports to support strategic alliances and economic interests.

How is India Increasing its Defence Diplomacy?

SAGAR Initiative:

  • Introduction and Purpose:
    • The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during a speech in Mauritius.
    • It aims to enhance India's commitment and presence in the strategic Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
    • The doctrine envisions the Indian Navy as a potential security provider and contributor to regional stability.

Capabilities of the Indian Navy:

  • The Indian Navy is one of the largest in the world, with a powerful and diverse naval arsenal.
  • It operates over 120 ships, including stealth frigates, destroyers, conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, and coastal vessels.

Roles and Activities:

  • Since 2017, the Indian Navy has played a crucial role in military diplomacy, promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
  • Naval Exercises:
    • Through exercises like Milan and Malabar, the Navy showcases its commitment to regional security.
    • These exercises highlight India's readiness to protect its territories and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
    • They also demonstrate India's willingness to assist allies and potentially engage adversaries, particularly Pakistan and China.

Strategic Impact:

  • The SAGAR initiative and the Indian Navy's activities illustrate India's strategic intent to secure its maritime interests and contribute to regional stability.
  • These efforts reinforce India's role as a key player in maintaining security and promoting growth in the Indian Ocean Region.

Engagement with Southeast Asia:

  • Responding to China’s Aggressiveness:

    • China's persistent assertiveness, especially in the South China Sea, has driven India to enhance its defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
    • Southeast Asian states are eager to strengthen security ties with India to counterbalance China and enhance their maritime security.

  • Intensified Collaboration:

    • India has ramped up its collaboration with many Southeast Asian nations, signifying a mutual interest in bolstering regional security.
    • The growing size and complexity of the Milan naval exercise symbolize India's expanding defence diplomacy across the region, from West Asia to Southeast Asia.

Defence Exports:

  • Export Targets:

    • India aims to achieve USD 5 billion in defence exports by 2024, focusing on Southeast Asia and Africa, regions where Chinese defence firms are prominent.
    • Increased efforts to sell Indian-made weapons reflect India's strategic push to expand its influence through defence exports.

  • Successful Deals:

    • The Philippines has become the first country to procure the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile batteries from India, in a deal worth USD 375 million.
    • Bahrain has shown interest in acquiring India's upgraded and more lethal Arjun Mark 2 tanks, demonstrating the growing appeal of Indian defence technology.

Helping Neighbours:

  • Building Naval Capabilities:
    • India has donated and transferred naval equipment to its immediate neighbours to bolster their capabilities.
    • Examples include offshore patrol vessels to Mauritius (2015), Sri Lanka (2018), Maldives (2019), and Seychelles (2021), as well as two Dornier aircraft to Seychelles (2013 & 2018).
    • These initiatives aim to establish India as a ‘net security provider’ in the region.

Humanitarian Assistance:

  • HADR Operations:
    • India's role as a ‘net security provider’ includes a strong focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
    • India has led HADR efforts during major disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and the 2020 floods in Madagascar.
    • With increasing extreme weather events, particularly in the Bay of Bengal region, India is enhancing its disaster response coordination with partner countries.
    • HADR remains a key focus within the Quad and through initiatives like the PANEX-21 exercise with BIMSTEC countries, addressing contingencies in the pandemic context.

Building Relationships on India’s West:

  • Strategic Partnerships:

    • India has developed strong defence ties with West Asian monarchies, moving beyond the traditional focus on Pakistan.
    • This strategic engagement has gained importance amidst regional shifts like the Abraham Accords and China's growing influence.

  • Naval Engagement:

    • In August 2021, India conducted joint naval exercises with the UAE (Zayed Talwar exercise), Bahrain (Maritime Partnership Exercise), and Saudi Arabia (Al-Mohed Al-Hindi exercise).
    • These exercises have enhanced India's defence cooperation and signaled its commitment to regional security.
    • The India-Saudi Arabia exercise marked the first joint exercise between the two nations, highlighting the deepening of their defence relationship.

Conclusion :
In response to the security challenges in Afghanistan and China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, India has strategically leveraged its defence forces to shape regional diplomacy and build robust partnerships. This requires enhanced investments in naval, expeditionary, and logistical capabilities. The Russo-Ukraine war underscores the need for a strong, adaptive defence strategy, exemplified by lessons such as the sinking of the Moskva. To fortify its defence, India is focusing on indigenous technology for critical programs like fighter jets and aircraft carriers. Aligning defence diplomacy with foreign policy is crucial to ensuring India's national interests, fostering a comprehensive approach to global and regional challenges.