• India’s military diplomacy has recently gained significant momentum, with an increasing number of joint military exercises involving countries from various regions. 

• The 20th edition of India-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas-2024’ commenced on September 9 at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. 

• Not far away, the Royal Australian Air Force has deployed combat aircraft to India for the first time to participate in ‘Exercise Tarang Shakti’. 

Exercise Tarang Shakti

• The second phase of India’s largest multilateral air exercise, ‘Exercise Tarang Shakti 24,’ is being conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur from August 30 to September 13. 

• Participating nations include Australia, Greece, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.

• Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 will provide our aviators with the opportunity to develop interoperability with foreign militaries, develop a mutual understanding of tactical operations, and foster international relations.

• Australia and India have strengthened air defence cooperation in recent years, including hosting Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Flankers at Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022, and 2024.

• Australia’s Defence Department said that the country will continue to support India’s key role in the region by deepening and expanding defence cooperation.

• The first phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti concluded in Tamil Nadu in August and involved the air forces of Germany, France, Spain, and the UK.

What is defence diplomacy?

• Defence diplomacy refers to the strategic use of military-to-military engagements, activities, and policies aimed at strengthening national security and fostering international cooperation. 

• It serves as a tool for building trust, enhancing relationships, and addressing shared security challenges with other nations.

This form of diplomacy includes:

• Advanced Naval Engagements: India’s increasing focus on maritime diplomacy reflects its intent to secure critical sea lanes and enhance its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Naval exercises and joint patrols with other countries help strengthen maritime security and combat piracy, terrorism, and smuggling.

• Greater Military Exercises: India has ramped up its participation in bilateral and multilateral military exercises with global partners. These exercises improve interoperability, enhance combat readiness, and foster collaboration in diverse operational environments. 

• Enhanced Defence Exports: Defence diplomacy also involves promoting indigenous defence products and technologies to international markets. India has made significant strides in boosting defence exports, positioning itself as an emerging player in the global arms trade, while also supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector. 

Major military exercises of India

Joint exercises conducted by the Army:

• Australia : Ex AUSTRA HIND

• Bangladesh : Ex SAMPRITI

• China : Ex HAND IN HAND

• France : Ex SHAKTI

• Indonesia : Ex GARUDA SHAKTI

• Kazakhstan : Ex PRABAL DOSTYKK

• Kyrgyzstan : Ex KHANJAR

• Maldives : Ex EKUVERIN

• Mongolia : Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT

• Myanmar : IMBEX

• Nepal : Ex SURYA KIRAN

• Oman : AL NAGAH

• Russia : Ex INDRA

• Seychelles : Ex LAMITIYE

• Sri Lanka : Ex MITRA SHAKTI

• Thailand : Ex MAITREE

• UK : Ex AJEYA WARRIOR

• USA : Ex YUDH ABHAYAS

• USA : Ex VAJRA PRAHAR

Joint exercises conducted by the Indian Navy

• Malabar  : India, USA, Japan, Australia

• Varuna : India, France

• La Perouse : India, Australia, United States, France, Japan, and United Kingdom

• Sea Dragon  : India, USA, Japan, Canada, South Korea

• Konkan  : India, UK

• AIME & IMDEX : India, ASEAN Countries

• Bright Star  : India, 34 Countries

• SALVEX : India, USA

• SLINEX  : India, Sri Lanka

• Samudra Shakti  : India, Indonesia

• Al-Mohed Al-Hindi : India, Saudi Arabia 

• India-France-UAE trilateral exercise : India, France, UAE

• India- France-UAE trilateral PASSEX : India, France, UAE

• KOMODO  : India, Multiple (36 Countries)

• AUSINDEX : India, Australia

• SIMBEX : India, Singapore

Major exercises conducted by the Air Force

• Ex Veer Guardian : First Air Exercise between India and Japan

• Ex PASSEX with France : Joint exercise with French fighter aircraft

• Ex Desert Flag-8 in UAE : First participation of Tejas in an international air exercise

• Ex Cobra Warrior : Multinational Air Exercise

• Ex Cope India : Joint exercise of India with USAF and Japan (observer)

• Ex Orion : Multinational exercise

• Ex INIOCHOS : First Air Exercise between India and Greece

• Ex Bright Star : Joint exercise with Egypt

Enhancing defence diplomacy

• India is actively enhancing its defence diplomacy through a multifaceted approach that includes bolstering military engagements, expanding defence exports, and reinforcing regional security partnerships. 

Key strategies include:

1) SAGAR Initiative (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of SAGAR — ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ during his visit to Mauritius in March 2015.

• It is a high-level articulation of India’s vision for the Indian Ocean. SAGAR has distinct but inter-related elements and underscores India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean. 

• The principles enshrined in SAGAR provide a coherent framework to address some of the challenges related to economic revival, connectivity, security, culture and identity. 

Key features of SAGAR:

• Enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories and interests. 

• Deepening economic and security cooperation in the littoral.

• Promoting collective action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy, terrorism and emergent non-state actors.

• Working towards sustainable regional development through enhanced collaboration.

• Engaging with countries beyond shores with the aim of building greater trust and promoting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes.

• The ‘Blue Economy’ has emerged as a promising new pillar of prosperity in the region, with immense economic and employment potential. India is engaging with its neighbours in Blue Economy initiatives, particularly in the areas of marine bio-technology, exploration and sustainable exploitation of ocean mineral resources, sustainable fishing practices, and harnessing of ocean energy.

2) Engagement with Southeast Asia:

• China’s assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea, has driven India to strengthen defence cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. Military exercises like Milan have expanded in scope and participation, enhancing regional maritime security. These collaborations aim to balance China’s influence and provide Southeast Asia with an alternative security partner.

3) Defence Exports:

• India is rapidly expanding its defence exports, aiming for $5 billion by 2024. Notable deals include selling BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines and offering Arjun Mark-2 tanks to Bahrain. 

• India’s presence in African and Southeast Asian arms markets has grown, challenging China’s dominance.

4) Strengthening Defence Attaches:

• Defence attaches in Indian embassies are playing a more proactive role in promoting Indian defence products. With a budget allocation of $50,000, they push exports of systems like the Tejas combat aircraft and Astra missile to friendly nations.

5) Helping Neighbours:

• India assists its neighbours by donating and transferring defence equipment, such as patrol vessels to Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Seychelles. This enhances their naval capabilities and solidifies India’s role as a “net security provider” in the region.

6) Humanitarian Assistance:

• India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations have been a key aspect of its defence diplomacy. India has led relief efforts in natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2015 Nepal earthquake, and 2020 Madagascar floods. India also coordinates with Quad partners and conducted the PANEX-21 exercise with BIMSTEC countries to improve disaster preparedness.

7) Building Relationships with West Asia:

• India’s defence diplomacy in West Asia is expanding, moving beyond the Pakistan-centric view. Joint naval exercises with UAE (Zayed Talwar), Bahrain (Maritime Partnership Exercise), and Saudi Arabia (Al-Mohed Al-Hindi) have deepened India’s defence ties with Gulf nations. 

• The first-ever India-Saudi Arabia joint exercise in 2021 marked a new chapter in security cooperation.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)