What about Military Diplomacy with Bangladesh ?? 2025 for Indian Foreign Policy remained Focus on Security -- Trade-tariff conflict with US and unusual hassles in neighbourhood amid re-establishing of bonding with Russia and China

The internal dynamics of the countries in India's neighbourhood always impinge on Bharat's security. 

This came to the fore in 2025. With Pakistan; India had armed conflicts for a few days in May while in the east; the engagement with Bangladesh was more on diplomatic tables and often marred by tension, rhetoric and also realising the need to strengthen ties at least informally. 

By December - things dipped a bit beyond comprehension. But optimism is a way forward in life and in foreign policy. Can there be Military Diplomacy at work between Delhi and Dhaka ... ? 

The answer is best kept in the womb of time.

As optics; top military officials from Kolkata and Nagaland visited some border areas including Belonia in Tripura. The message has been direct. 

We ought to realise that India also has its concerns with respect to conventional threats. One of them is - Cyber security matters --- and here the threats are asymmetrical. 

Some years ago - one expert on the subject associated with defence officials - said this cannot be measured technology to technology or man to man -- as was the case in conventional conflicts. Of course; there is a need to appreciate that this is also a field where the concept of 'deterrence' cannot work. This is largely because -- here -- the "source" of threat that emanates cannot be determined.  

We were even told once that unlike China; India's critical information infrastructure is vulnerable because it is developed in very 'inorganic way'. China already had advanced system in place and that gave Beijing the advantage of homogeneity when it comes to cyber security.  

In July this year, Lt Gen Abhijeet S Pendharkar, GoC of Rangapahar-based Spear Corps, observed “Exercise Drone Prahar”—a crucial and high-level military drill.

The exercise was held under 'realistic battlefield conditions' for use of drones for surveillance, intelligence gathering, real-time coordination, and precision targeting.

Of course Drones are being used abundantly to counter potential threats from across the border in east, north and west .... 

the enemy radar systems cannot do much with our tech.

In other words, I was told how the armed forces have "strengthened" the tactical capabilities in critical scenarios. Notably; a few years back, the Netra drones of DRDO were deployed for disaster rescue operations during the North India floods. 

The Searcher MkII Drone had participated in the Republic Day parade once. 

"It has changed the soldiers' Mind... In about a decade time; you will find the forces will be able to retain young and old officers and other ranks more and more," one uniformed personnel working with Drones told me in September this year.

He further added: "Fauzi .... fauz nahi chhorega .... (Soldiers' won't leave the forces so soon). And .... 

Naya pan aa raha hae (Various kinds of new things are coming in)".

On the Pakistan front; 'Operation Sindoor' demonstrated India's military power and a big lesson has been taught to Pakistanis. But they love to live in denial -- so be it. 

However, India's western neighbour has to be dealt suitably. What was true about Pakistan in the 1970s ... is even true today as we ring out the year 2025. Even as there is a civilian establishment called 'government' in Islamabad; it is too weak to rein in the Pakistani military establishment - which thrives on anti-India stance. 

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Additional Info :

In 2021, Foreign Secy Harsh V Shringla raised matters relating to India’s security with Myanmar especially in the light of the some incidents in Churachandpur district in southern Manipur. 

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In December this year; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin courting 'each other' has dealt a major blow to the notion that Russia can be globally isolated.   

Moscow also remains India's top military supplier.  

But Putin has given a critical message to Beijing too.  Nevertheless; the RIC is a reality today. 

But by showing that he has other international partners including India and a leadership like Narendra Modi; Putin hopes to ensure China does not take its relationship with Moscow for granted.

It is a fact that China has enormous economic leverage over Russia, one that India comes nowhere close to matching. Nearly half of Russian oil and gas exports end up in China, which also serves as an essential supplier of industrial equipment and electronics. 

Foreign minister S Jaishankar - 'presumes' he is Modi's Hanuman !!

Finally, the shift in geo-political landscape can be perhaps best be countered by the concept of collective security. One important aspect is the maritime domain and the importance of Indian Ocean Region. 

In other words - Indian Ocean is linked to economic well-being and also to national security. The open geography of the Indian Ocean means that no single power can or is likely to dominate it. 

The Commanders' conference in Kolkata in September saw the release of the “Joint Military Space Doctrine”, marking a milestone in institutionalising space as a key element of India’s national security strategy.

Jointness and integration are key to transforming the Indian armed forces into unified structures, advancing reforms to ensure they are fully "future ready."

  

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