What is RAKSHA Document?

The RAKSHA document is a 10-year policy framework that formally codifies defence diplomacy as a central pillar of India's foreign policy. It transitions India from a historically cautious, non-aligned defence posture to an assertive and proactive global strategic role.

Key Definition

Defence Diplomacy refers to the use of defence resources and military cooperation as instruments of foreign policy to:

  • Build trust
  • Strengthen partnerships
  • Enhance interoperability
  • Promote regional stability without resorting to force

Synergy of Stakeholders

The RAKSHA document serves as a coordinated, actionable vision integrating the objectives of:

  • Ministry of Defence (MoD)
  • Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
  • National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)

Four Key Pillars of RAKSHA

1. Strategic Partnerships

  • Deepening bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with friendly, like-minded nations
  • Countering shared geopolitical threats
  • Ensuring collective regional security

2. Capacity Building

  • Enhancing joint military exercises
  • Targeted training programmes
  • Sharing operational best practices with allied nations
  • Special focus on the Global South

3. Indigenous Exports

  • Promotes 'Make in India' and Atmanirbharata in defence
  • Shifts from traditional buyer-seller model to:
  • Co-development
  • Co-production
  • Technology partnerships
  • Transform India from a net arms importer to exporter of advanced strategic technologies
  • Platforms: BrahMos, LCA Tejas, artillery systems

4. Maritime Security

  • Solidifies India's role as Net Security Provider in Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
  • Positions India as First Responder in the IOR
  • Protecting critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs)
  • Ensuring freedom of navigation
  • Aligns with Indo-Pacific vision of free, open, inclusive, rules-based maritime order
  • Consistent with SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

Significance of RAKSHA

Counterbalancing Regional Hegemony

  • In an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific, defence diplomacy enables India to:
  • Build strategic partnerships and alliances
  • Counter aggressive expansionism
  • Maintain regional stability

Economic Force Multiplier

  • India's defence exports: Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26 (record high)
  • Generates export revenue
  • Strengthens domestic defence-industrial base
  • Creates long-term strategic and technological linkages
  • Opens new markets through Government-to-Government (G2G) engagements
  • Defence attachés facilitate indigenous defence exports and technology cooperation

Securing Global Commons

  • First responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
  • Anti-piracy operations
  • Builds diplomatic goodwill
  • Strengthens trust with littoral states
  • Enhances operational interoperability

Complementing Vision 2047

  • RAKSHA complements Defence Forces Vision 2047
  • Vision 2047 aims to transform India's armed forces into a modern, integrated, technologically advanced military
  • Supports the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047

Constitutional/Policy Context

While not directly mentioned in the Constitution, defence diplomacy aligns with:

  • Article 53: Executive power of the Union
  • Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) directives
  • National Security Policy 2021 directives
  • India's broader Indo-Pacific Strategy