Rajnath Singh Launches ‘RAKSHA’ Defence Diplomacy Framework to Strengthen Global Partnerships

New Delhi, September 3, 2026; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday unveiled the ‘RAKSHA’ document on defence diplomacy, outlining India’s strategic roadmap and vision for strengthening global defence partnerships over the next 10 years.

Released in New Delhi, the comprehensive framework seeks to give greater direction to India’s defence diplomacy by aligning national security priorities with proactive international cooperation. The document places emphasis on long-term partnerships aimed at promoting stability, mutual growth and a rules-based global order.

The RAKSHA framework identifies strategic partnerships as a key pillar of India’s defence diplomacy. It seeks to deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with partner nations and strengthen India’s role in shaping a more stable international security environment.

Capacity building has also been identified as a major area of focus. The roadmap calls for greater cooperation through joint military exercises, training programmes and the exchange of best practices with friendly countries. Such initiatives are aimed at improving interoperability and strengthening the defence capabilities of partner nations.

Another important component of the framework is the promotion of indigenous defence exports. The document places emphasis on taking Make-in-India defence platforms and technologies to international markets, with the objective of establishing India as a reliable global defence manufacturing hub.

Maritime security forms another key pillar of the 10-year vision. The framework seeks to further strengthen India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region, reflecting the country’s growing focus on securing vital maritime routes and promoting regional stability.

The document comes at a time when India’s defence diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in the country’s wider foreign policy. Through deeper defence partnerships, training cooperation, military exercises and defence exports, India aims to expand its strategic engagement with countries across different regions.

The RAKSHA roadmap is intended to provide a clear and actionable framework for India’s defence diplomacy during the coming decade, with an emphasis on strategic cooperation, capability development, indigenous defence production and maritime security.

The launch was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Rudrendra Tandon, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Marshal Tejinder Singh and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Council Secretariat.

The unveiling of RAKSHA marks a significant step in defining India’s defence diplomacy priorities for the next decade and reinforces the country’s ambition to emerge as a stronger partner in global security and a key contributor to peace and stability.