defence and security partnership

Defence minister Rajnath Singh is on a crucial multi-nation tour to Vietnam and South Korea, aiming to bolster strategic military ties, defense industry partnerships, and maritime collaboration. This visit follows recent high-level dialogues, underscoring India's commitment to enhancing security and stability within the Indo-Pacific region through strengthened bilateral engagements.

India and the UAE have significantly deepened their defence ties in 2026, moving towards joint industrial production of advanced weaponry and enhanced maritime and cyber security. This strategic partnership, backed by substantial UAE investment, aims to bolster India's defence manufacturing and secure vital trade routes amidst regional instability.

India and Italy have forged a Special Strategic Partnership, revitalizing defence and industrial ties. A new roadmap prioritizes co-development and co-production of military systems, including helicopters and naval platforms, aligning with India's 'Make in India' vision. This collaboration also extends to counterterrorism and space exploration, marking a significant step forward for both nations.

India and Italy have elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, fostering deeper cooperation in defence, technology, and trade. A defence roadmap for co-development and co-production of military platforms was agreed upon, alongside an ambitious €20 billion trade target by 2029. Discussions also covered global security, including West Asia and Ukraine, and maritime cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi's five-nation tour secured nearly $40 billion in investment, with over 50 global firms pledging fresh capital and expansion. Key sectors like semiconductors, defence, and energy saw significant commitments. India elevated ties with the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy, fostering strategic partnerships and boosting economic cooperation.

India and Sweden have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, signing an action plan for 2026-2030 covering green transition, technology, trade, and defence. Prime Minister Modi emphasized shared democratic values and innovation, highlighting growing defence cooperation moving beyond a buyer-seller dynamic. Discussions also explored strengthening supply chains and sustainable mobility.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's South Korea visit deepens defence ties, exploring collaboration on missile systems and the KIND-X initiative. This builds on India's historical humanitarian role during the Korean War, commemorated by a new memorial. The partnership aims for co-development of advanced defence technologies, fostering innovation and industrial integration between the two nations.

India's defence capabilities are set to receive a significant boost with the US approving a $198.2 billion deal for Apache helicopter support and a $230 million package for M777A2 howitzers. This strategic move enhances India's security and strengthens the Indo-US partnership, improving its readiness against evolving regional threats.

India and the UAE solidified their friendship with seven key agreements during PM Modi's visit. These pacts focus on energy security, including strategic petroleum reserves and LPG supply, alongside a significant defense partnership. Further collaborations will boost India's maritime sector and establish a supercomputer cluster, with the UAE committing $5 billion in investments.

India is set to receive significant US support for its Apache attack helicopters and M777 howitzers, with deals exceeding $428 million approved by the US State Department. These packages, routed through Foreign Military Sales, will bolster India's defense capabilities and strategic partnership with Washington, enhancing its readiness against regional threats without altering the military balance.

India's Larsen & Toubro has teamed up with France's Exail to equip the Indian Navy with advanced unmanned mine counter-measure systems. This strategic collaboration aims to bolster maritime security and foster indigenous defence manufacturing for the Navy's upcoming mine countermeasure vessels, aligning with 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Narendra Modi to Rome for discussions aimed at elevating bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and includes plans for annual summits and a trade target of 20 billion euros by 2029.

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Union Minister Piyush Goyal strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for using derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Goyal emphasized India's enhanced global reputation and robust strategic partnerships, citing strong ties with the US and significant investment deals secured during Prime Minister Modi's recent foreign visits. These engagements underscore India's growing influence and trusted partnership status worldwide.