India’s air drills showcase ability to mobilise nations for global defence cooperation: analysts

India’s first multinational air exercise is aimed at showcasing its ability to mobilise countries from different continents, with observers saying New Delhi is also keen to tout its locally made aircraft as part of its expanding defence diplomacy.

The “Tarang Shakti” exercise, held in two phases, will also promote international cooperation and strengthen collective security capabilities, according to the Indian Air Force. Dozens of countries are taking part in the exercise, including 10 with air assets and 18 observer nations.

Germany, France and Spain were among the participants in the first phase, which was held in Sulur in southern Tamil Nadu from August 6 to Wednesday, with Eurofighter Typhoons, French Rafales and India’s own Light Combat Aircraft Tejas making their presence felt.

The second phase will involve Australia, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Greece, the United States. It will run from August 29 to September 14 in Jodhpur in northern Rajasthan state.

The presence of the air force chiefs of France, Germany and Spain during the first phase “underscored the importance” of this multinational endeavour, according to India media reports.

Harsh Pant, vice-president for studies and foreign policy at the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think tank, said the “eclectic” group of countries hosted by India showed that it was capable of mobilising a range of countries which may not have similar views on strategic issues.

The countries came together to strengthen operational efficiency and address common challenges, Pant said, adding that the exercises also showcased India’s ability in global defence cooperation.

“It is also a message to China that in a day and age when [Beijing] is part of a broader