“Friends for Life” Initiative to Strengthen India’s Defense Diplomacy

New Delhi: In a significant move to advance defense diplomacy, the Indian Army has launched a digital initiative called “Friends for Life”. The platform aims to connect military and ex-military officers from friendly countries who have trained at various Indian Army institutions, enabling them to share experiences and foster professional dialogue.

Connecting a global network of officers

According to the Indian Army, the initiative will bring together officers from 99 countries who have trained alongside Indian counterparts over the years. By facilitating professional interactions, the platform seeks to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between Indian and foreign military officers.

Over the past decade, the Indian Army has trained more than 21,500 officers from friendly countries. For example, Sri Lanka’s current Army Commander, Lieutenant General V.K.G.M. Lasantha Rodrigo, and Nepal’s Army Chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, are alumni of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). Officers from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Bhutan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and France have also received training at Indian Army institutions such as the Staff College and the National Defence Academy. The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) oversees all training programs across 34 institutions, ensuring global connectivity and professional development.

Strategic importance beyond training

The “Friends for Life” platform is not limited to professional training or joint exercises. It plays a critical role in crisis management. For instance, during political turbulence in Bangladesh, communication between India and Bangladesh relied primarily on the army chiefs of both countries. Despite fluctuations at the political level, the army-to-army connection remained robust. Recently, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that he maintains regular dialogue with the Bangladesh Army Chief to prevent miscommunication or misunderstandings.

By creating a digital network of trained officers worldwide, the Indian Army’s “Friends for Life” initiative promises to deepen military collaboration, enhance mutual trust, and fortify India’s defense diplomacy on the global stage.