Rupal Kalebere
South Asia
India’s defence outreach in South Asia was marked by the successful conclusion of the 12th edition of SLINEX, the bilateral naval exercise with Sri Lanka. INS Rana and INS Jyoti joined Sri Lankan Naval Ships Sayura and Vijayabahu in Colombo, carrying out both harbour and sea phases. The harbour phase featured reciprocal training in firefighting, aviation operations, HADR, and cultural exchanges, while the sea phase tested interoperability through advanced gunnery firing, seamanship evolutions, VBSS operations, and fueling at sea. Indian naval personnel also paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force Memorial, honouring soldiers of the 1987–1990 mission. SLINEX 2025 deepened naval interoperability and underscored India’s SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Southeast Asia
India’s engagement in Southeast Asia was particularly robust. The Eastern Fleet ships INS Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan visited Manila, Philippines, underscoring the growing strategic convergence between the two nations. Bilateral maritime exercises with the Philippine Navy included anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine drills, while high-level meetings emphasized the shared commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
In Singapore, INS Sandhayak, the first indigenously built Survey Vessel Large, made its maiden port call coinciding with Singapore’s National Day. The visit advanced hydrographic cooperation under the Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative, including technical exchanges, outreach to schoolchildren, and professional interaction with the Republic of Singapore Navy.
Indonesia too witnessed India’s naval presence, as INS Kadmatt docked at Surabaya. The visit included professional exchanges, a combined yoga session, sports engagements, and diaspora interactions, reaffirming India’s position as a preferred security partner under the vision of “Partnership Across Sea.”
In Vietnam, the 6th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard was held in Hanoi. Discussions emphasized maritime law enforcement, SAR, pollution response, and joint efforts against transnational crimes such as smuggling, trafficking, and illegal fishing. This meeting reflected both nations’ growing institutional cooperation and operational trust.
East Asia and the Pacific
The Indian Navy expanded its reach into the wider Indo-Pacific through its presence in Papua New Guinea. INS Kadmatt participated in the 50th Independence Day celebrations at Port Moresby, joining the official parade and hosting the PNG Chief of Defence Forces onboard. The goodwill visit followed the momentum of Prime Minister Modi’s 2023 visit and symbolized India’s long-term commitment to engaging Pacific Island nations.
Europe and the Mediterranean
INS Tamal, India’s newest stealth frigate, featured prominently in India’s European engagements. After commissioning in Russia on 1 July 2025, the vessel transited through multiple European ports. At Casablanca, Morocco, Tamal engaged with the Royal Moroccan Navy, conducted a Passage Exercise with Mohammed VI, and reinforced Indo-Moroccan naval relations.
In Naples, Italy, Tamal participated in a PASSEX with ITS Trieste, while simultaneously celebrating India’s Independence Day with naval and civil dignitaries. The ship’s cultural events and bilateral discussions aligned with the India–Italy Strategic Action Plan (2025–2029), strengthening cooperation under the Strategic Partnership elevated in 2023.
The frigate later visited Souda Bay, Greece, where its crew interacted with NATO institutions, the Hellenic Navy, and paid homage at the World War II cemetery in Crete. Exercises with HS Ritsos further validated interoperability, while cultural outreach cemented people-to-people links. These port calls reflected India’s growing role in European maritime security and deepening partnerships in the Mediterranean basin.
West Asia and the Gulf
Defence cooperation with West Asia advanced across multiple levels. The 7th meeting of the India–Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation in New Delhi highlighted progress in implementing earlier decisions and explored new avenues, including training, cyber, IT, disaster management, and industrial partnerships. India offered to train Saudi armed forces and showcased its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
Complementing this institutional engagement, INS Tamal and INS Surat arrived at Jeddah, engaging with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Border Guards. Cultural exchanges and professional discussions further strengthened Indo–Saudi naval ties.
In Algeria, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi undertook an official visit, engaging with Algerian defence leadership and visiting military academies. The visit followed India’s Defence Seminar in Algiers earlier in the month and laid groundwork for defence industrial cooperation.
Indo-Pacific Multilateralism
India also engaged in multilateral frameworks. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, attended the Chiefs of Defence Conference 2025 in Thailand, hosted by US Indo-Pacific Command and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The discussions centered on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber resilience, and HADR cooperation, reflecting India’s commitment to multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific.
Wider International Peace and Security
Beyond bilateral and regional cooperation, India’s role in global peacekeeping was highlighted through the United Nations Women Military Officers Course 2025 (UNWMOC-2025) in New Delhi. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh addressed women officers from 15 countries, underlining India’s commitment to gender parity in UN peacekeeping. The unveiling of the Platinum Jubilee edition, Blue Helmet Odyssey: 75 Years of Indian Peacekeeping, showcased India’s enduring contributions and leadership in this domain.
Conclusion
India’s defence diplomacy in August 2025 reflects a remarkable breadth and depth of global engagement, spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, West Asia, Africa, Europe, and multilateral platforms in the Indo-Pacific.
The Indian Navy continues to be the spearhead of India’s international outreach, conducting goodwill visits, joint exercises, and high-level exchanges across geographies. The voyages of INS Tamal, in particular, symbolised India’s expanding naval footprint in Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
India’s engagement in West Asia and Africa signaled an intent to diversify its strategic partnerships, while initiatives in Southeast Asia and the Pacific reinforced its position as a net security provider under the Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR initiative. At the same time, India highlighted its leadership in global peacekeeping and gender parity through the UNWMOC course, demonstrating both operational capacity and normative leadership.
Overall, India’s August 2025 engagements demonstrate a multi-vector strategy: strengthening traditional partnerships, consolidating influence in Asia, deepening ties with Europe, broadening outreach to Africa and West Asia, and actively participating in multilateral frameworks. This portrays India as not just a regional power but an emerging global defence partner, combining naval outreach, defence industrial growth, and diplomatic initiatives to advance both its national interests and international security.