Context
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the ‘RAKSHA’ document on defence diplomacy in New Delhi.
- It lays out a 10-year strategic roadmap and vision for India’s global defence partnerships.
About ‘RAKSHA’
- ‘RAKSHA’ is a comprehensive framework that provides long-term direction to India’s engagement with friendly nations in the defence and security domain.
- It seeks to align national security objectives with proactive international cooperation and promote long-term stability and mutual growth.
- The document provides a clear and actionable vision for the next decade, recognising defence diplomacy as a core pillar of India’s foreign policy.
Four Key Pillars
- Strategic Partnerships:
- Deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with partner countries.
- Capacity Building:
- Expand joint military exercises, training programmes and sharing of best practices with friendly nations.
- Indigenous Exports
- Promote Make-in-India defence platforms in international markets.
- Strengthen India’s position as a reliable global defence manufacturing hub.
- Maritime Security
- Strengthen India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
FAQs
Q1. What is the ‘RAKSHA’ document?
Ans: It is a 10-year strategic roadmap and vision for India’s defence diplomacy and global defence partnerships.
Q2. Who released the ‘RAKSHA’ document?
Ans: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released it in New Delhi on 3 September 2026.
Q3. What are the four pillars of ‘RAKSHA’?
Ans: Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Exports and Maritime Security.
Q4. What is the focus of Strategic Partnerships?
Ans: To deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with partner countries.
Q5. What does Capacity Building include?
Ans: Joint military exercises, training programmes and sharing of best practices with friendly nations.
Q6. How does ‘RAKSHA’ support India’s defence industry?
Ans: It promotes Make-in-India defence platforms and aims to strengthen India as a reliable global defence manufacturing hub.
Q7. What is the maritime focus of ‘RAKSHA’?
Ans: It seeks to strengthen India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
