Since assuming office in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented significant changes in defence policy to adapt to the volatile geopolitical landscape both regionally and globally. Following a decade of modernisation and expanded partnerships, India has articulated its “Strategic Vision 2047” in the military domain, setting out an array of new objectives.

A decade defined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2014-2024), India has established foundational pillars in its strategic outlook to ensure autonomy and develop options to address emerging geopolitical challenges. Amid global uncertainties, Modi’s government recognised the pressing need for strategies to safeguard national security, protect its interests, and respond to rising threats. This vision also entails bolstering and expanding defence relationships, particularly intensifying ties with nations and international organisations across South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

Initially, India’s defence and security strategy primarily focused on its neighbouring countries and close allies, aiming to strengthen regional ties. This approach was reflected in its “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First” policies. However, in recent years, India has advanced defence cooperation with Western and Asian nations. A notable example is the Malabar naval exercises, which have emerged as a cornerstone of Indian defence diplomacy. Since 2015, India and the United States agreed to include Japan as a regular participant in these drills - marking a significant step towards enhancing maritime operational capabilities among the three navies of the Eastern Hemisphere. By 2020, the grouping expanded to include Australia as the fourth member. The Malabar exercises have then provided a collaborative platform for participants to share doctrines, refine training programmes, and enhance joint military coordination. This strengthened alliance positions them to counterbalance competing forces. The scope of these exercises has expanded to include diverse activities, such as maritime patrol and reconnaissance, helicopter-based resupply operations, carrier strike group manoeuvres, and anti-submarine and surface warfare. The exercises are conducted across various maritime theatres, including the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Philippine Sea, East China Sea, the waters around Japan, the South Pacific, and the Guam region.

Besides, India has effectively leveraged its multi-aligned defence strategy to advance its counterterrorism agenda across crucial regions like Europe and Asia. This flexible, context-sensitive approach has been executed through collaborations with organisations such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Russia-China-India trilateral framework. Additionally, to safeguard national interests and maintain strategic balance, India advocates for multilateralism and adherence to international law in its partnerships. In essence, New Delhi’s multi-alignment strategy is pivotal for maximising national power - an essential feature of its defence policy. The Modi government has undertaken significant measures to bolster self-reliance in the defence industrial sector. Initiatives include increasing the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence from 49% to 74% and banning the import of over 400 foreign-made weapon systems. According to The Economist (a London-based publication covering international affairs), India prioritises robust upgrades and self-reliance in defence technology, with a growing role for private enterprises. Shruti Pandalai, a scholar at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (New Delhi), notes that “India recognises external partnerships as the key to unlocking its defence potential.” She emphasises that government incentives are spurring competition among defence start-ups while promoting research and development investments in this critical sector.

An India's homemade warplane

Strengthening defence diplomacy with Southeast Asia

To enhance its regional influence and competitiveness, India has intensified its defence diplomacy with Southeast Asia, alongside deepening partnerships with key Asian allies. Over the past decade, New Delhi has particularly strengthened its defence ties with the Philippines and Singapore.

Since 2016, the Philippines has emerged as a key military partner for India. Previously, India-Philippines relations were among the least developed in the region, as successive Filipino administrations focused on balancing ties with the United States and China. However, this dynamic shifted under President Rodrigo Duterte. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Manila in 2017, followed by Duterte’s visit to New Delhi in 2018, laid the groundwork for deepening bilateral defence cooperation. This evolving partnership is evidenced by regular port calls by Indian Navy ships to the Philippines and joint naval exercises. In April 2024, India delivered three BrahMos long-range supersonic cruise missile batteries - highly capable combat systems, as part of a $375 million intergovernmental agreement signed in 2022. Earlier, during the fourth Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in March 2023, India agreed to station a defence attaché in Manila to oversee defence and security matters. The two countries have also expanded collaboration in military training, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and maritime logistics. According to experts, this bilateral relationship can potentially evolve into a formidable alliance in the region. Beyond serving mutual interests, such a partnership could enhance both nations’ competitiveness against regional adversaries.

With Singapore, in 2017, India and Singapore signed a naval cooperation treaty aimed at ensuring maritime security, providing logistical support, and conducting joint maritime exercises. Notably, this treaty allows the temporary deployment of naval forces at each other’s military facilities, simplifying the Indian Navy’s access to Singaporean ports for refueling and berthing. Furthermore, the treaty extends the operational reach of the Indian Navy east of the Malacca Strait. In addition, the two nations’ militaries have agreed on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and cybersecurity cooperation.

Setting objectives for a transformative decade

India’s strategic military vision for 2047 is grounded in the nation’s broader strategy to 2047 to achieve self-reliance and emerge as a dominant defence power in the Eastern Hemisphere. This vision includes transforming the Indian Armed Forces into a modern, agile, adaptable, and self-sustaining force.

In this context, the Indian government designated 2023 as the “Year of Transformation” and 2024 as the “Year of Technology Adoption.” These themes underpin India’s strategy to enter a transformative decade with five ambitious objectives: Firstly, restructuring the armed forces. The government plans a comprehensive reorganisation of military headquarters, commands, and key units, aimed at enhancing defence capabilities and addressing evolving challenges. This includes recalibrating organisational structures and redistributing roles within commands and corps. Secondly, advancing infrastructure development. According to plans, India aims to establish world-class military infrastructure to strengthen its operational capacity and combat readiness across multiple domains: air, land, cyberspace, and outer space. A notable step in this direction is the commissioning of the new INS Jatayu base on Minicoy Island. This facility is expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean region, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s defence strategy. Russian experts have highlighted that INS Jatayu will provide New Delhi with substantial geopolitical leverage. It will enable the Indian Navy to expand its maritime power projection, improve maritime security, and foster stronger connections with regional navies. Furthermore, New Delhi plans to construct a dual-use airport on Minicoy Island, serving both military and civilian purposes, further bolstering the region’s strategic value. Thirdly, enhancing the application of technology to operate and develop data systems, thereby improving the existing capabilities of the armed forces. Fourthly, boosting combat readiness across forces. The Indian government has outlined a detailed roadmap for upgrading artillery, air defence systems, the air force, and infantry, including mechanised infantry units. This plan focuses on acquiring modern weaponry, ensuring a steady supply of ammunition, establishing new structures to support multi-domain operations, and investing in infrastructure upgrades for logistics. Fifthly, promoting self-reliance by localising weapons, equipment, and combat vehicles. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government prioritises elevating the domestic defence industry to global standards. The aim is to enhance India’s military capabilities, strengthen its autonomy, and position the country as a leading arms exporter. In other words, India’s military trade trajectory is set to grow significantly in the coming decade. New Delhi is emerging as a key supplier of military goods to countries in the region, shaping long-term strategic partnerships while asserting its role as a dominant defence power.

To realise these objectives, the Indian Armed Forces will prioritise seamless coordination among the army, navy, and air force for unified and effective responses to threats and future challenges. Efforts will also focus on improving personnel quality across all levels. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi’s government continues to deepen defence partnerships with Western nations, enhance India’s role in UN peacekeeping missions, and engage in joint exercises with allies and partners - a key pillar of India’s defence policy.

The increasing frequency of joint military drills, high-level exchanges, and bilateral defence agreements is reshaping India’s status as a rising power in the Eastern Hemisphere. This aligns with the Modi government’s overarching goal of positioning India as a formidable global player in the years to come.

TRUNG HIEU and LAM PHUONG