India will send four newly appointed DAs to Africa
In a historic first, India has announced the appointment of four new Defence Attachés (D.A.) to be sent to four African nations. Given the current conflict-ridden state of the world, New Delhi realises the importance of maintaining military diplomacy with various nations in an effort to better accomplish the goal of providing enhanced regional security.
Reports also suggest that, out of all the continents, Africa is set to receive four newly appointed DAs. One new DA is likely to be sent to Francophone western Africa, whereas the other three are to be sent to three nations in eastern and south-eastern Africa.
New Delhi is also in the midst of discussing new missions in other African nations like Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, and Ethiopia in a bid to broaden India’s strategic capabilities in providing effective regional and international security.
Geopolitics experts across the globe see this as a sign of India’s expanding focus on matters of military diplomacy and urgent mobilisation as part of an effective crisis response, outlined by the current ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine as well as the re-emergence of piracy trends off the horn of Africa and the cape of good hope.
A few months ago, Indian Marine Commandos conducted successful anti-piracy operations, capturing 35 pirates and freeing hundreds of hostage sailors, signifying India’s dominant naval presence in the red-sea-western Indian Ocean region.
The nation is also set to reinforce its high commission in the London and Moscow embassies, with several defence attachés returning to New Delhi in accordance with foreign policy objectives.
A PTI report suggests that the 16 defence attachés have been appointed by the government from all the defence wings of —the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. In the meantime, the newly appointed DAs, who are to be posted across various continents and regions as part of New Delhi’s Global Outreach Mission, recently underwent a three-day training programme at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, according to a report by The Hindu.
India’s emergence spells trouble for China’s naval dominance
China’s increasingly hostile military presence in the South China Sea has often threatened maritime trade passing through the region. In addition to violating numerous international and UN maritime laws, China has also been accused of forcing the hands of smaller nations, be it through loopholes in trade policies or unwanted military aggression.
Nations like the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have already reeled back from China’s Roads and Belt Projects (CRBP). Recently, in January, the Philippines finalised an agreement valued at $375 million with Brahmos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. for the purchase of a shore-based anti-ship variant of the Brahmos missile system, outlining India’s emerging potential for global arms supply.
India has also deployed several naval assets in the Gulf of Aden and the East Coast of Africa to curb the resurging trend of piracy and to guard Indian interests in the region.
Security experts suggest that the attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea by the Houthi rebels of Yemen have left the maritime shipping lane prone and vulnerable to pirate attacks. Despite India’s anti-piracy operations in the region, a stronger international framework is required to ensure the safe conduct of maritime trade.
India’s increasing military diplomacy does pose a threat to China’s military presence in the South China Sea and its following waters, which has prompted China to establish additional overseas military installations and access agreements in and around India.
Recent US intelligence estimates indicate that Beijing is set to finalise many new bases across Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Seychelles, and the UAE in the coming years.
Indian missions are set to receive strategic reinforcements in the form of DA
The recent DA appointment for Djibouti, West Africa, is a significant development, as the nation is considered an important maritime gateway across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
In addition to gathering and analysing military intelligence, the DA will also be responsible for facilitating arms sales, military cooperation agreements, and dictating security assessments between their home nation’s military and the host nation’s military.
The latest reports from the external affairs ministry indicate India plans to establish 26 new missions across the globe in addition to the 149 that currently exist. Out of the 26, 18 are set to be in Africa, underscoring the rising importance of India-Africa security relations.
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