WHY IN NEWS
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the RAKSHA strategic framework in New Delhi, laying out India's roadmap for defence diplomacy and global defence partnerships for the next 10 years.
- The framework seeks to align national-security objectives with proactive international cooperation and to make defence diplomacy a more structured instrument of foreign policy.
- Its four core pillars are Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Defence Exports and Maritime Security.
- For UPSC, the issue connects strategic autonomy, military diplomacy, defence exports, Indian Ocean security, capacity building and India's role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder.
TOP DATA & FACTS FOR UPSC
- RAKSHA is a 10-year strategic roadmap for Indian defence diplomacy.
- It was released by the Defence Minister in September 2026.
- The framework is anchored in proactive engagement with friendly countries.
- Pillar 1: Strategic Partnerships through deeper bilateral and multilateral security cooperation.
- Pillar 2: Capacity Building through training, exercises and exchange of best practices.
- Pillar 3: Indigenous Defence Exports linked with Make in India.
- Pillar 4: Maritime Security.
- The maritime pillar emphasises India's role in the Indian Ocean region.
- Defence diplomacy includes military exercises, training, staff talks, port calls and high-level exchanges.
- Defence exports can reinforce long-term strategic relationships when accompanied by maintenance and training.
- Interoperability improves when forces repeatedly train together.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are important instruments of regional security cooperation.
- Maritime domain awareness is central to Indian Ocean security.
- Defence partnerships increasingly include technology, co-development and co-production.
- Strategic autonomy does not mean strategic isolation.
- Lines of Credit can support defence exports and capacity-building partnerships.
- Defence attaches connect military expertise with diplomatic missions.
- Indian Ocean sea lanes carry a major share of India's external trade.
- Maritime security includes protection of ports, shipping and critical undersea infrastructure.
- Joint exercises build familiarity with procedures and communications.
- Training partnerships can create durable military-to-military relationships.
- Export promotion requires reliable delivery, after-sales support and spares.