Page No. : 47-52

Defence Cooperation is the pinnacle of Strategic Relationship between any two countries. Synergy between economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation is required to achieve national objectives. The Indian Armed Forces are amongst the largest in the world and recognized professionally with well-established institutions. It is, therefore, only prudent that we use it to our advantage. While India has undertaken Defence Cooperation in the South Asian Region for many years, it falls short of a well-coordinated effort. The general state of inimical relations with countries in the South Asian region does suggest deficiencies in our foreign policy and defence cooperation. The challenges associated with Defence Cooperation by India in South Asia need a detailed appraisal. This research provides a holistic approach towards identifying and analysing our Policy and Structure for Defence Cooperation with respect to South Asian nations. It explores the rationale and need for India to engage South Asian Countries for Defence Cooperation. Thereafter it goes on to identify the shortcomings of our methodology of Defence Cooperation in the South Asian Region. Based on above it goes further and explores and evolves a Policy for engaging with South Asian Countries for Defence Cooperation as also work out concrete mechanisms and structures in the Government and the Service Headquarters for pragmatic defence cooperation in the South Asian Region. The research is wholesome, other than vast literature available it has incorporated inputs from survey through questionnaires and discussions of large number of Indian and Foreign officers. Incisive inputs have been obtained from interviews and interaction with imminent retired diplomats, government, and retired armed forces officers. The research is interesting, engrossing incisive and offers It offers detailed and useful recommendations which should be adopted towards wholesome defence cooperation in the South Asian Region.

International Relations and foreign policy are invariably governed by power equations. This obviously leads us to the fact that the Armed Forces of a country, directly or indirectly greatly influences its foreign policy. A secure, stable, peaceful, and prosperous neighbourhood is central to India’s security calculus. The Regional security environment in South Asia continues to be dynamic, with terrorism, insurgency, and sectarian conflict from our West and North, increasingly threatening the stability of our region. Amidst the ongoing efforts to impart fresh vigour and dynamism to strengthening relations with neighbours in a comprehensive manner, the need for a cooperative security construct is of immediaterelevance in this period of strategic uncertainty. India has been committed to the policy ―neighbourhood first‖ aimed at expanding the close and friendly relations with India‘s neighbours. It continued with its policy during the year. India‘s defence and security policy are a function of its principled commitment to regional and international peace and prosperity 39. The role of bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation has evolved to a point where it now directly affects the wielding of India‘s regional power40 . Defence Cooperation activities constitute an important tool for furtherance of our national interests and foreign policy objectives. In keeping with India‘s rising global stature in recent years, there has been a considerable increase in Defence Cooperation activities undertaken by the Indian Army 41. South Asian Region in the immediate neighbourhood merits maximum attention. In what has been referred to variously as a ―nuclear flashpoint‖ and second most dangerous place in the world, it is utmost urgency that India take the lead in establishing defence-based partnerships42. South Asian Region is marked by lack of transparency in interstate relations and regimes which are inherently opaque. Regional and sub-regional cooperation also chalks out India‘s stakes in the various security dilemmas or peace processes of the region43. Drivers for any issue can be classified as those factors which emphasise its necessity.