Military Diplomacy: An Appraisal in the Indian Context

Abstract

Defence Diplomacy is an integral part of foreign policy and state security, it helps in increasing military cooperation between the countries and strengthening relations between the states. India’s growing global outreach and vibrancy of its foreign policy can be gauged by the fact that it has made substantial efforts in defence and security cooperation, however, India’s defence diplomacy efforts do not commensurate to its rising global status, since all tools of defence diplomacy have not been used optimally. In this context, the paper argues for the need to revisit and formulate a strategy that is aligned with India’s foreign policy. It is because defence diplomacy is vital for a state to not only ensure its stable and strong international position but is also significant in shaping a structured and functional security policy.