India has been strengthening defense ties with countries across the region. For the past decade, India has been receiving increasing requests for joint exercises and training slots from what are described as “Friendly Foreign Countries” in the bureaucratic parlance

A six-point formula for stepping up the nation’s military diplomacy of India is:

• leverage the military element of national power towards the furtherance of the national interest;
• contribute to the national security environment by developing a shared confidence amongst the armed forces;
• Strengthen defense relations to promote India’s influence in the region;
• establish a presence commensurate with India’s strategic interests and the comfort level of the host nation;
• assist friendly foreign countries in developing defense capabilities consistent with India’s security needs;
• Exploit India’s presence in UN Missions to further the national interest.

As a first step defense attachés were posted in the Central Asian Republics. Accordingly, three new attachés have been placed in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the past three months. These three countries are of particular immediate interest because of their proximity to Afghanistan, currently in the middle of an uncertain transition. By posting defense attachés, India wants to make sure it remains engaged with the military leadership there as it has done for years with Tajikistan, another country that borders Afghanistan. In fact, after initial difficulties, India has helped Tajikistan build an air base at Ayni, besides intermittently basing some of its own Russian-sourced helicopters there. A 60-bed, state-of-the-art hospital built by India is manned by military doctors and paramedics at Ayni, and is seen as a major Indian contribution in Tajikistan. The new Indian defense attachés are expected to offer similar, if smaller projects to the other Central Asian Republics.

India also plans various joint exercises that keep strategic interests in mind. In 2012-13, India was perhaps the only country to have conducted joint drills with all P-5 countries—the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. While many of the exercises—like the Yudh Abhyas series with the U.S. and Exercise Ajay Warrior with the U.K.—are part of a long-term engagement, India is increasingly focused on offering its expertise to its immediate neighbors too. In keeping with that policy, Indian forces have conducted joint drills, maneuvers and exercises with Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as with Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.

To counter an increasingly assertive China, most ASEAN and East Asian nations want  India to be a counterweight to Beijing. Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and, particularly, Vietnam and Myanmar, have time and again asked India to help them both in terms of military training and weapons supply.

In 2013 Myanmar’s navy chief, held wide-ranging consultations with top officials from the Indian Ministry of Defence. Apart from increasing the number of training slots of Burmese officers in Indian military training establishments, India has agreed to build at least four Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPV) in Indian Shipyards to be used by Myanmar’s navy.

The Indian Navy has been supplying critical spares to Hanoi for its Russian origin ships and missile boats. Last year it offered a $100-million credit line to Vietnam to purchase military equipment. The money will be used to purchase four patrol boats.

There is the renewed warmth in India and Japan relations. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to India in the last week of January, 2014. Abe has intention of a broader alliance in Asia designed to balance China’s rapid rise and counter its increasing hegemony. Major element of the joint Indo-Japan statement was preserving maritime freedom and respect for international laws in Asia. Both reiterated their commitment “to the freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes based on the principles of international law.” In the context of the rising tension between China and Japan over the disputed island of Senkoku and Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, the reiteration is important.

Both sides have decided to step up their defense cooperation. Japan is at an advanced stage of talks with India to sell the ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft. It will be the first Japanese defense export since World War II. Japan has been invited to participate in the annual Exercise Malabar held between the U.S. and the Indian navies.

India’s Growing Military Diplomacy

As part of its Look East policy, India has been boosting military ties throughout East Asia. For years the Indian security establishment has been excessively focused on Pakistan and the proxy war it has waged against India. Over the past half a dozen years, the focus has gradually shifted to meeting the rising challenge posed by China’s rising military capabilities in Tibet and its hegemonic role in South China Sea.

Given the long and drawn out border dispute with  China, Indian policymakers have naturally tended to think “continentally” and looked at countering China on land. To address challenge from China, two new army divisions now deployed in the country’s north-east. A new mountain strike corps specifically meant for offensive operations against China has been raised. 

As part of its two decade-old Look East policy, India has substantially stepped up engagement with East Asian and ASEAN nations. Last December, during an India-ASEAN Commemorative summit, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership.

ASEAN and East Asian nations want New Delhi to be a counterweight to increasing Chinese footprints in the region. Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and, particularly, Vietnam and Myanmar have time and again pressed India to help them both in terms of military training and weapons supply.

In the recent past, despite its military junta’s perceived closeness to China, Myanmar had sourced 105 mm artillery guns, mortars, armored personnel carriers and rifles from India. India has agreed to build four Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPV) in Indian Shipyards for Myanmar’s navy. Myanmar military is moving closer to India than ever before. That all three Indian service chiefs visited Myanmar in the past one year is testimony to India’s military diplomacy with Southeast and East Asian nations.

But it is Vietnam more than any other country in Southeast Asia that India seeks to support and engage.  Both India and Vietnam have long-pending territorial disputes with China. Both have long-standing ties, dating back to Jawaharlal Nehru’s time. So, for more than a decade now, India has been providing Vietnam with assistance in beefing up its naval and air capabilities. For instance, India has repaired and upgraded more than 100 MiG 21 planes of the Vietnam People’s Air Force and supplied them with enhanced avionics and radar systems. Indian Air Force pilots have also been training their Vietnamese counterparts.