Thursday 26 / December / 2024
New Delhi: India has recently amplified its global military diplomacy, engaging in numerous joint exercises with foreign armies, hosting back-to-back collaborative military drills, and conducting extensive tri-service exercises.
This strategic push, marked by the recent tri-services exercise Poorvi Prahar in the Eastern Command and the first-ever space-based exercise Antariksha Abhyas, reflects India’s commitment to regional stability, enhancing interoperability, and building military partnerships with foreign allies.
These initiatives illustrate how India’s military diplomacy is shifting into high gear to advance its defence capabilities, readiness, and international influence.
India strengthening military alliances through joint exercises
India's approach to international military diplomacy has been defined by robust engagement through joint exercises with multiple global powers.
These joint exercises cover a range of areas, from counter-terrorism and maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).
They also serve as platforms to exchange knowledge, refine tactics, and align defence strategies with partner nations.
In recent months, India has hosted or participated in joint military exercises with several countries, including the United States, Russia, France, Japan, and Australia.
Each exercise is tailored to address the unique challenges posed by the current geopolitical environment, with a particular emphasis on enhancing interoperability.
Indian army's joint exercise Yudh Abhyas with the United States has grown into a significant platform for ground forces to share best practices on counter-terrorism and urban warfare, given the rising global threat of asymmetric warfare between two uneven forces.
Similarly, Malabar, a quadrilateral maritime exercise between India, the US, Japan, and Australia, serves as a powerful deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region, signaling unity among allies committed to preserving a free and open maritime environment.
Such exercises underscore India’s strategic choice to invest in long-term relationships with partner nations, while also establishing itself as a reliable defence partner.
This network of alliances reflects India's stance on a multipolar world, in which a collective approach to security issues is paramount.
Notably, these engagements are also crucial in ensuring that India’s armed forces stay abreast of modern warfare tactics, emerging technologies, and advanced weaponry used by some of the world’s most advanced militaries.
Tri-service exercise Poorvi Prahar: Strengthening Eastern Command
In line with India's focus on comprehensive defence preparedness, the tri-service exercise Poorvi Prahar, conducted in the Eastern Command, showcased India's emphasis on integrated warfare capabilities.
This exercise brought together the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in a joint environment to address threats in the eastern sector, particularly in light of the challenging Himalayan terrain and the proximity to sensitive borders.
Poorvi Prahar tested a range of military operations, from conventional ground combat to air support and amphibious maneuvers.
The exercise also placed an emphasis on rapid deployment, logistics efficiency, and seamless inter-service communication, which are critical for swift response in case of any cross-border aggression.
The focus on Eastern Command is significant given recent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Poorvi Prahar demonstrated the high level of preparedness and coordination within India’s tri-services to manage threats in this region.
Additionally, it underscored India’s approach of defending its borders with credible deterrence, while still remaining committed to diplomatic solutions.
India’s first-ever tri-service space exercise: Antariksha Abhyas
One of the most striking developments in India's defence strategy is the initiation of Antariksha Abhyas, the country’s first tri-service space exercise.
This exercise signals India’s entry into the domain of space warfare, a field gaining prominence as countries around the world invest in space-based defence capabilities.
Antariksha Abhyas, which involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was aimed at improving India's capability to protect its space assets and develop responses to potential threats in space.
As space becomes a contested domain, with countries relying heavily on satellite-based communication, navigation, and reconnaissance, India’s decision to conduct a tri-service space exercise is a forward-looking approach.
The exercise simulated scenarios where Indian forces had to protect satellites, respond to space-based threats, and coordinate ground operations based on space intelligence.
In essence, AntarikshaAbhyas prepared India’s military for space as a new frontier of warfare, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding India's space assets in any potential conflict.
Moreover, this space exercise reflects India's ambition to build a comprehensive defence posture that extends beyond terrestrial domains.
In recent years, India has taken several steps towards developing its space defence capabilities, including establishing the Defence Space Agency (DSA) and Defence Space Research Organization (DSRO).
By investing in these capabilities, India is bolstering its national security infrastructure in response to the increasing militarization of space by other global powers.
The broader implications of India’s military diplomacy
The intensification of joint military exercises and defence collaborations highlights a clear trend in India's foreign policy: the country is cementing its role as a responsible regional power that contributes to global security.
This strategy is particularly relevant as India's geopolitical standing increases, bolstered by its economic rise and strategic location in South Asia.
The defence collaboration also aligns with India’s aspirations of self-reliance in defence production.
The South Asian major has been actively pursuing joint ventures, technology transfers, and co-development projects with foreign defence manufacturers.
Initiatives like these foster indigenization, reduce dependency on foreign arms imports, and create a sustainable domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
This pursuit of self-sufficiency in defence capabilities is further supported by exercises like PoorviPrahar and AntarikshaAbhyas, which help refine and test India’s domestically developed technologies in real-world scenarios.
These engagements are also a response to the evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, where India's role is seen as pivotal by the global community.
The region has witnessed increasing tensions, particularly due to China's growing assertiveness in maritime and territorial disputes.
Through military diplomacy and joint exercises, India reinforces its commitment to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific, working alongside allies to ensure that the region remains free from coercion and respects international laws.
The future of India’s military diplomacy is promising, with plans for additional exercises, new technology integrations, and a continued focus on indigenization.
Initiatives like Vihaan.AI, which represent India's goal to modernize its military, and collaborations in defence technology with countries like the US and Israel, underscore India's trajectory towards becoming a formidable defense player on the world stage.
India’s military diplomacy, powered by extensive joint exercises, tri-service operations, and a strategic focus on space capabilities, reflects a maturing defence strategy that aligns with its global aspirations.
Exercises like PoorviPrahar and AntarikshaAbhyas are not only enhancing India's readiness for multi-dimensional warfare but also positioning India as a responsible, stabilizing force in the region.
As India deepens its military partnerships, enhances its defence infrastructure, and develops its technological edge, the country is reinforcing its stance as a critical player in global and regional security.
