Union Government Unveils 'RAKSHA': India's 10-Year Strategic Blueprint for Defence Diplomacy

In a major policy initiative to strengthen India's global security footprint, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released a landmark strategic framework titled 'RAKSHA' on September 3, 2026, in New Delhi. The document establishes a structured 10-year roadmap to guide India's defence diplomacy, aligning national security goals with proactive international military engagements and strategic partnerships. The 'RAKSHA' framework is anchored on four fundamental pillars: Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Defence Exports, and Maritime Security. Under strategic partnerships, the policy aims to deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with friendly foreign nations across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, West Asia, and Africa. The capacity-building pillar focuses on expanding joint military exercises, professional military training exchanges, and technical sharing. A key highlight of the doctrine is boosting indigenous defence manufacturing and global arms exports. Building upon India's record defence exports of ₹38,424 crore in the previous financial year, the roadmap seeks to position the country as a reliable global manufacturing hub with a target of reaching ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2029. Additionally, the maritime security pillar reinforces India's role as a 'Net Security Provider' and 'First Responder' in the Indian Ocean Region through mission-based naval deployments and humanitarian assistance. By formalizing defence diplomacy into an official public doctrine, the government aims to move away from ad-hoc military exchanges toward long-term, outcome-driven global security alliances that protect national interests while promoting regional stability.