India Expands Strategic Ties and Arms Exports with New Military Attachés

April 11, 2024

India is expanding its strategic ties with key regions by posting defence attaches in several countries, including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Philippines, Armenia, and Poland.

This move comes amid renewed geopolitical rivalries and is part of India’s broader policy initiative.

Appointment of Defence Attache in Djibouti

New Delhi is appointing a new defence attaché to Djibouti, a tiny African nation that serves as a major maritime gateway around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Djibouti is considered a prized location for military bases, and the new defence attaché will be the second one to hold the post in the island nation.

Rationalisation of Military Officials in Moscow and London

India is planning to rationalise the strength of its teams of military officials in its embassy in Moscow and high commission in London.

Some of the defence attaches posted in these two countries are set to be deployed elsewhere as part of the rationalisation process, which factored in various aspects of New Delhi’s foreign policy priorities and optimum use of manpower.

Expanding Strategic Engagement with Africa

The decision to appoint defence attaches in African countries of Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Ivory Coast is in sync with New Delhi’s priority to expand its strategic engagement with the African continent. Several African countries have already expressed keen interest in procuring Indian military platforms, equipment, and hardware.

In recent years, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges, and aspirations of the Global South or the developing nations, especially the African continent.

Countering China’s Influence in Africa

India’s ties with the African continent have witnessed a major uptick amid China’s persistent efforts to expand its influence in the African countries.

The induction of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of the G20 was seen as a major milestone of India’s presidency of the grouping of the world’s 20 big economies in 2023.

Expanding Defence Ties with the Philippines

India is also looking at further expanding defence ties with the Philippines against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China’s increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.

In January 2022, India sealed a USD 375 million deal with the Philippines for supplying three batteries of the missile, and the supplies are set to begin soon.

Appointment of Defence Attache in Armenia

The decision to appoint a defence attache in Armenia comes as the country in the Caucasus region shows deep interest in enhancing its defence relations with India. Last year, arms deal to supply Indian military hardware, including multi-barrel rocket launchers to Armenia, was firmed up amid the Armenia-Azerbaijan clash over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Expanding Defence Ties with Poland

India’s decision to appoint a defence attaché to Poland, a member of the European Union, is also being considered significant. It is reflective of the desire to expand two-way defence ties. Last year, the European Union (EU) posted a military attache to its mission in India for the first time.

Deployment of Defence Attaches

A total of 16 defence attaches from the Indian Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force will shortly assume their new positions in the above-mentioned countries.

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