‘RAKSHA’ Document
Prelims:
International
Relations
Mains:
GS Paper II:
International Relations, GS Paper III: Security
Current relevance:
Raksha
Mantri Rajnath Singh released the ‘RAKSHA’ document on defence diplomacy
in New Delhi on 3 September 2026. The comprehensive framework lays down
India’s strategic roadmap and vision for global defence partnerships for the
next 10 years.
At a glance:
1.
About the ‘RAKSHA’
Document:
i.
Defence
Diplomacy Framework:
RAKSHA is a comprehensive framework outlining India's approach towards global
defence partnerships.
ii.
Time
Horizon: It provides a
strategic roadmap for the next 10 years.
iii.
Strategic
Shift: The document
marks a shift towards aligning India's national security objectives with
proactive global cooperation.
iv.
Long-Term
Objective: It seeks to
promote long-term stability and mutual growth through defence
engagement.
v.
Foreign
Policy Link: Defence
diplomacy is identified as a core pillar of India's foreign policy.
2.
Strategic
Partnerships:
i.
The
framework seeks to deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation.
ii.
Defence
partnerships are positioned as an important instrument for strengthening
India's strategic engagement with other countries.
iii.
Such
cooperation supports India's broader objective of promoting peace and
stability in the evolving global environment.
3.
Capacity Building
& Military Cooperation:
i.
Joint
Exercises: Greater
emphasis is placed on enhancing joint military exercises with friendly nations.
ii.
Training
Programmes: The
framework promotes greater cooperation through military training programmes.
iii.
Best
Practices: It encourages the sharing of best practices with friendly
countries.
iv.
These
initiatives strengthen capacity building and defence cooperation with
partner nations.
4.
Indigenous Defence
Exports:
i.
The
document promotes Make-in-India defence platforms in international
markets.
ii.
It
seeks to strengthen India's position as a reliable global defence
manufacturing hub.
iii.
Indigenous
defence exports connect India's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities
with its broader defence diplomacy objectives.
iv.
This
approach combines strategic partnerships with defence-industrial cooperation.
5.
Maritime Security
& Indian Ocean Region:
i.
Maritime
Security constitutes
one of the major pillars of the strategic blueprint.
ii.
The
framework seeks to strengthen India's role as a Net Security Provider.
iii.
It
also emphasises India's role as a First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region
(IOR).
iv.
These
roles place maritime security at the centre of India's wider regional
security engagement.
6.
Strategic
Significance:
i.
Security–Diplomacy
Integration: Connects
India's national security objectives with global defence cooperation.
ii.
Decadal
Vision: Provides a
clear and actionable framework for India's defence diplomacy over the next
decade.
iii.
Defence
Manufacturing: Promotes
indigenous defence platforms as part of India's ambition to become a global
defence manufacturing hub.
iv.
Regional
Role: Strengthens
India's security role in the Indian Ocean Region.
v.
Global
Engagement: Seeks to
position India as an anchor of peace, stability and a rule-based order in an
evolving global landscape.
vi.
Whole-of-Government
Approach: The launch
involved senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of
External Affairs and National Security Council Secretariat, alongside
senior military leadership.
Source:
PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2306256®=48&lang=2