India steps up military diplomacy, engages neighbourhood

New Delhi: More officers from neighbouring counties will be trained at India's prestigious strategic leadership institution - National Defence College (NDC) - as New Delhi increases its engagement with neighbours to counter the growing influence of China.

Five more friendly countries -- Tajikistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Uzbekistan and Philippines -- will now be able to send their officers to India for annual training in national and international security-related fields.

"In the next two years, NDC is going to increase intake of 20 participants from its current capacity of 100," Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said during opening statement of the diamond jubilee of the institution. NDC was inaugurated in 1960 with 21 participants.

Kumar said that the seats have been increased keeping in view of huge demand India is getting from friendly foreign nations.

Out of existing 100 capacity, 75 are reserved for Indian senior defence and civil services officers and 25 are for officers from foreign nations across the continents.

It is learnt that out of 20 increased seats almost half of them would be reserved for friendly foreign nations. The seats are also reserved for officers coming from Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The officer said that 10 seats would be increased in 2021 and another 10 in 2022.

The NDC also functions as an important instrument of the state towards fostering and enhancing strong relationships with friendly countries, not only in the neighbourhood but also globally.

Further, Kumar said, from next session 'President Chair of Excellence' has been planned to be established in the

institution.