[India’s Strategic Moves]: Defence Attaches Expand to Africa, Asia

New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, India is set to station defense attachés across a diverse array of nations, namely Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Armenia, and Poland, aligning with its strategy to deepen strategic liaisons amid heightened global tensions.

Additionally, New Delhi will place a fresh defense attaché in the diminutive African country of Djibouti, a critical maritime hub bridging the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, deemed a coveted strategic point for military bases, according to sources familiar with the situation. The new appointee marks the second to hold this position in Djibouti.

New Delhi is also reorganizing its military personnel in its Moscow embassy and London high commission, transitioning certain defense attachés to alternative postings. This redistribution reflects an optimization process rooted in New Delhi’s foreign policy goals and effective allocation of resources.

The placement of defense attachés in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Ivory Coast is part of India’s broader focus on cultivating strategic connections with the African continent, a priority for New Delhi, as highlighted by one source. Several African nations have already shown strong interest in acquiring Indian defense systems and hardware.

In recent years, India has asserted itself as a pivotal advocate for the concerns and aspirations of the Global South, particularly the African continent, counterbalancing China’s growing influence in the region.

The induction of the 55-member African Union as a permanent participant in the G20 marked a milestone achievement during India’s presidency of the global economic consortium in 2023. India also aims to further strengthen defense ties with the Philippines, set against the backdrop of China’s rising assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The defense and strategic relations between India and the Philippines have notably improved in recent years. In January 2022, India secured a $375 million agreement with the Philippines to provide three missile batteries, with deliveries set to commence shortly, according to one source.

India’s decision to appoint a defense attaché in Armenia comes in response to the Caucasus nation’s growing interest in enhancing defense collaboration with India. An arms agreement, finalized last year, entails supplying Indian military assets such as multi-barrel rocket launchers to Armenia.

This agreement emerged amidst the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Meanwhile, India’s decision to appoint a defense attaché in Poland, a European Union member, is seen as noteworthy, signaling a commitment to bolster bilateral defense ties.

In 2023, the European Union established its first military attaché to its Indian mission. Soon, 16 Indian defense attachés from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will commence their new appointments, according to the sources.