Rupal Kalebere
India’s defence diplomacy in February 2026 reflected expanding engagements across Africa, Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, with a strong focus on military exercises, defence industrial cooperation, maritime diplomacy and emerging technologies. The month witnessed several bilateral dialogues, multilateral naval engagements, and defence industry partnerships reinforcing India’s role as a key security partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Key Highlights – February 2026
- India deepened defence partnerships across Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Indo-Pacific through joint exercises, dialogues and high-level visits.
- The MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise, involving 74 nations, marked one of the largest maritime cooperation initiatives led by India.
- India expanded defence industrial cooperation with France, Italy and Saudi Arabia, highlighting its growing role in global defence manufacturing.
- Several joint military exercises were conducted with partners including Japan, the United States, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand.
- India’s maritime diplomacy continued through INS Sudarshini’s Lokayan-26 voyage, strengthening naval ties with Oman and Egypt.
Africa
India–Tanzania Defence Cooperation
The 4th India–Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting was held in Zanzibar on 2–3 February 2026. Both sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and explored new areas including military training, counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber security, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare.
A high-level delegation of the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces (TPDF) later visited India to enhance collaboration in cyber security and defence technology.
Strategic significance
- Tanzania is an important partner for India in the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR).
- Cooperation supports India’s broader maritime security framework under MAHASAGAR.
India–Kenya Defence Cooperation
The 4th India–Kenya Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting was held in Nairobi from 24–26 February 2026. Discussions focused on expanding military training, maritime security cooperation, defence research collaboration and cyber security initiatives.
Both countries agreed to develop a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation, including enhanced naval engagements and structured military exchanges.
Strategic significance
- Strengthens India’s defence engagement with East Africa, a region of growing geopolitical importance in the Indian Ocean.
India–Seychelles Security Cooperation
India’s Defence Secretary met with the Foreign Minister and Chief of Defence Forces of Seychelles in New Delhi. Discussions covered maritime security, hydrography cooperation, training and upcoming joint exercise LAMITYE-2026.
Strategic significance
- Seychelles remains a key partner in India’s Indian Ocean maritime security network.
Indo-Pacific and Maritime Cooperation
MILAN 2026 Multilateral Naval Exercise
The MILAN 2026 naval exercise concluded on 25 February aboard INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam.
Key highlights:
- Participation from 74 nations
- 42 ships and submarines
- 29 aircraft
- Advanced drills including anti-submarine warfare, air defence, maritime interdiction and live firing exercises
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh also interacted with naval chiefs and delegations from nine ASEAN member statesduring the exercise.
Strategic significance
- Reinforces India’s role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.
- Strengthens interoperability between regional navies.
India–Thailand Air Exercise
The Indian Air Force conducted an in-situ exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force in the Indian Ocean Region.
Participating assets included:
- IAF Su-30MKI fighter aircraft
- Thai SAAB Gripen jets
- IAF IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft
- AWACS surveillance systems
Strategic significance
- Enhances India’s Act East defence cooperation.
- Demonstrates extended air operations capability in the maritime domain.
Maritime Diplomacy – Lokayan-26 Voyage
The Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini conducted port visits as part of its Lokayan-26 global voyage.
Oman
The ship made its first international port call at Salalah, conducting professional exchanges with the Royal Navy of Oman.
Egypt
The vessel later visited Safaga Naval Base, engaging with the Egyptian Navy and promoting naval cooperation.
Strategic significance
- Enhances India’s maritime diplomacy under the “Bridges of Friendship” initiative.
Bilateral Military Exercises
India–Japan Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN
The 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian commenced in Uttarakhand between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Key training activities included:
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coordination
- Heliborne operations
- Urban warfare drills
Strategic significance
- Strengthens India-Japan defence ties under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
India–United States Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR
The 16th edition of the India-US Special Forces exercise Vajra Prahar began in Himachal Pradesh.
Participants:
- Indian Army Special Forces
- US Army Green Berets
The exercise focuses on joint special operations in mountainous terrain.
India–Kyrgyzstan Exercise KHANJAR
The 13th edition of Exercise Khanjar was conducted in Assam between Indian Army Special Forces and the Kyrgyz ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade.
Training focused on counter-terrorism operations in urban and mountainous environments.
Defence Technology and Industrial Cooperation
India–France Defence Cooperation
Annual Defence Dialogue
India and France held the 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, reviewing bilateral defence cooperation and exploring expanded industrial partnerships.
Helicopter Manufacturing Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the Tata-Airbus H125 Light Utility Helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka.
Strategic significance
- Supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing strategy.
- Strengthens India-France aerospace collaboration following the C-295 aircraft program.
India–United States Defence Technology Cooperation
The 24th Indo-US Joint Technical Group meeting was held at DRDO headquarters in New Delhi.
The meeting explored collaboration in:
- critical defence technologies
- joint R&D initiatives
- innovation partnerships under the India-US Innovation Bridge
India–Italy Defence Industrial Engagement
India’s Secretary (Defence Production) visited Rome for meetings with senior Italian defence officials and industry leaders.
The visit included:
- India-Italy Defence Industry Seminar
- B2B meetings between defence companies
- discussions on co-development and supply chain integration
Strategic significance
- Strengthens India’s engagement with the European defence industrial ecosystem.
World Defence Show 2026 – Saudi Arabia
India participated in the World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh, where Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the first India Pavilion.
The pavilion showcased capabilities of Indian defence public sector undertakings and private companies, highlighting India’s emergence as a defence manufacturing and export hub.
High-Level Defence Engagements
India–Australia
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited Australia to strengthen army-to-army cooperation and prepare for the upcoming Exercise Austrahind 2026.
India–Greece
The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Kataras, visited India and held talks with the Indian Navy leadership to enhance maritime cooperation and joint training.