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India Expands Defence Diplomacy With ₹400 Crore Fund
India is setting aside more money to build relationships with other countries through defence cooperation.
The government has increased its defence diplomacy fund to ₹400 crore for 2025-26.
It wants Indian military representatives to work in more countries around the world.
These representatives are called defence attaches and they help with military, trade and security discussions.
India currently has about 54 defence wings abroad and plans to reach 85 to 90 by 2030.
Existing wings may also cover nearby countries so India can reach 157 countries.
India wants to increase defence exports and share equipment, training and infrastructure with friendly nations.
The RAKSHA framework describes this broader plan for the next decade.
The Ministry of Defence allocated ₹400 crore for defence diplomacy in FY2025-26, ₹100 crore more than the previous year.
India plans to establish 85 to 90 defence wings worldwide by 2030, up from about 54 currently.
Ten additional defence wings approved in 2024 are being established, while 50 existing wings have been accredited to cover neighbouring countries.
Defence attaches are being redirected toward countries where India exports defence equipment or sees future trade potential.
The RAKSHA framework outlines India’s 10-year plan for defence partnerships, exports, liaison officers and industrial cooperation.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Defence, armed forces, defence attaches and International Liaison Officers are involved.
- What
- India is expanding its defence diplomacy through a larger fund, more overseas defence wings, defence exports and international cooperation.
- Where
- The initiative covers Indian diplomatic missions worldwide, with planned emphasis on Africa, West Africa, the Mediterranean, Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific Island countries.
- When
- The funding applies to financial year 2025-26; the overseas expansion target is for 2030, and the RAKSHA framework was released on September 3, 2026.
- Why
- The stated aims are to strengthen strategic outreach, support defence exports, improve crisis response and expand cooperation and capacity building.
Key facts
- Defence diplomacy fund
- ₹400 crore allocated for FY2025-26
- Previous-year increase
- The allocation is ₹100 crore higher than the previous financial year
- Current defence wings
- About 54 defence wings are operating in missions abroad
- 2030 target
- India plans to have 85 to 90 defence wings globally
- Accredited coverage
- Fifty existing defence wings have been accredited to cover neighbouring countries, potentially reaching 157 countries
- Defence export target
- India aims to reach ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2030
- Framework
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the RAKSHA framework on September 3, 2026
Sources
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