Defence diplomacy has become a tool of foreign policy projection in the 21st century. Analyse with reference to India–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation. How does this affect India’s wider West Asia strategy?
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Q4. Defence diplomacy has become a tool of foreign policy projection in the 21st century. Analyse with reference to India–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation. How does this affect India’s wider West Asia strategy? (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question Due to the 7th India–Saudi JCDC (Aug 2025) where defence diplomacy was foregrounded as a key element of foreign policy, linking it to India’s broader West Asia strategy. Key demand of the question The question demands analysis of how defence diplomacy functions as a foreign policy projection tool in the 21st century with reference to India–Saudi cooperation, and its implications for India’s larger West Asia engagement. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Briefly define defence diplomacy as a tool of influence and trust-building in modern foreign policy. Body Defence diplomacy with Saudi Arabia – training, industrial tie-ups, maritime cooperation, institutional mechanisms. Implications for India’s West Asia strategy – balancing rivalries, countering external influence, enhancing security role, diversifying ties. Conclusion Conclude with India’s growing profile as a credible regional security partner and the need for calibrated engagement in West Asia.
Why the question Due to the 7th India–Saudi JCDC (Aug 2025) where defence diplomacy was foregrounded as a key element of foreign policy, linking it to India’s broader West Asia strategy.
Key demand of the question The question demands analysis of how defence diplomacy functions as a foreign policy projection tool in the 21st century with reference to India–Saudi cooperation, and its implications for India’s larger West Asia engagement.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Briefly define defence diplomacy as a tool of influence and trust-building in modern foreign policy.
• Defence diplomacy with Saudi Arabia – training, industrial tie-ups, maritime cooperation, institutional mechanisms.
• Implications for India’s West Asia strategy – balancing rivalries, countering external influence, enhancing security role, diversifying ties.
Conclusion Conclude with India’s growing profile as a credible regional security partner and the need for calibrated engagement in West Asia.