Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Unveils 'RAKSHA', India's 10-Year Strategic Framework for Defence Diplomacy

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially released 'RAKSHA', a landmark defence diplomacy document, in New Delhi, setting out India's comprehensive strategic roadmap and vision for global defence partnerships over the next decade. The publication marks a deliberate shift in India's strategic engagement, aligning national security objectives with proactive international cooperation to foster long-term global stability and mutual growth. Grounded in four core pillars—Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Exports, and Maritime Security—the 'RAKSHA' framework positions India as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region. The policy emphasizes deepening bilateral and multilateral security ties, expanding joint military exercises and officer training programs with friendly foreign nations, and promoting Make-in-India defence platforms to establish the country as a reliable global manufacturing hub. The official unveiling was attended by top military and diplomatic leadership, including Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the National Security Council Secretariat. By formalizing defence diplomacy as a central element of foreign policy, India aims to reinforce its role as an anchor of peace, stability, and a rules-based international order in an evolving geopolitical landscape.