Forest Services
The Indian Army contingent departed in 2023 to participate in the 7th edition of Exercise Dustlik, a bilateral joint military exercise conducted with the Uzbek Ministry of Defence in Uzbekistan. The exercise spanned 14 days and involved over 300 troops from each country, focusing primarily on counter-terrorism operations and joint tactical drills (PIB, 2023). This exercise exemplifies India's strategic outreach to Central Asia, aiming to enhance military interoperability and regional security cooperation.
Exercise Dustlik reflects India’s broader policy of defence diplomacy in Central Asia, a region of growing geopolitical importance due to its energy resources and proximity to conflict zones. It also signals India’s intent to balance China’s expanding influence under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Security Challenges, Defence Cooperation, International Relations
- GS Paper 2: India’s Foreign Policy, Neighbourhood Relations, Regional Security Architecture
- Essay: India’s Defence Diplomacy and Strategic Partnerships
Legal and Constitutional Framework Governing Joint Military Exercises
Joint military exercises like Dustlik are conducted under the legal ambit of the Defence of India Act, 1962, which governs military preparedness and operational conduct. The Ministry of Defence (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 empower the MoD to formulate policies and oversee joint exercises with foreign militaries. Article 246 and Entry 2 of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution vest exclusive legislative competence over defence matters with the Union Government.
- The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020 provides guidelines for international defence cooperation, including joint exercises, technology sharing, and procurement.
- These legal provisions ensure exercises like Dustlik align with India’s sovereign defence policies and international commitments.
Strategic Importance of Exercise Dustlik in India’s Central Asia Policy
Central Asia is strategically vital for India due to its energy resources and geopolitical location. Exercise Dustlik serves as a platform to enhance India’s military footprint and build interoperability with Uzbekistan, a key regional player.
- Central Asia accounts for approximately 15% of India’s total energy imports, valued over USD 1 billion annually (Ministry of Petroleum, 2023).
- India has conducted over 50 joint military exercises globally in the last five years, with Central Asia emerging as a priority region (IDSA Report 2023).
- Exercise Dustlik’s focus on counter-terrorism aligns with India’s broader security concerns related to extremism and regional stability.
Economic Dimensions: Defence Budget and Defence Diplomacy
India’s defence budget for 2023-24 is approximately INR 5.94 lakh crore, with a 12% increase in allocations specifically for joint exercises and international defence cooperation (Defence Ministry Budget 2023-24). This budgetary support underlines the government’s prioritisation of defence diplomacy as a tool of foreign policy.
- Defence exports rose by 27% in 2022-23, reaching USD 1.5 billion, reflecting India’s growing role as a defence partner (MoD Annual Report 2023).
- Joint exercises like Dustlik facilitate defence technology exchange and capacity building, indirectly boosting India’s defence manufacturing and export potential.
- Economic ties with Central Asia, particularly in energy, complement the strategic military engagement, creating a multifaceted partnership.
Key Institutions Involved in Exercise Dustlik
The exercise involves multiple Indian and Uzbek institutions coordinating to ensure operational success and strategic alignment.
- Indian Army: Primary executor of the exercise, focusing on tactical interoperability and counter-terrorism operations.
- Ministry of Defence (MoD): Policy formulation, oversight, and coordination of defence diplomacy initiatives.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO): Provides technological support and facilitates integration of indigenous defence technologies.
- Uzbek Ministry of Defence: Host and co-organizer, facilitating bilateral military engagement.
- Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA): Offers strategic research and policy recommendations on India-Central Asia defence cooperation.
Comparative Analysis: India vs China in Central Asian Military Engagements
| Aspect | India (Exercise Dustlik) | China (SCO Exercises) |
|---|---|---|
| Scale of Troops | ~300 troops per side | Upwards of 5,000 troops |
| Focus Areas | Counter-terrorism, tactical interoperability, capacity building | Large-scale counter-terrorism, hard power projection |
| Framework | Bilateral exercises without a comprehensive multilateral umbrella | Multilateral under SCO integrating political, economic, military cooperation |
| Strategic Objective | Enhance regional security cooperation and interoperability | Assert regional dominance and hard power presence |
| Frequency | Annual, focused bilateral engagements | Regular multilateral large-scale drills |
Critical Gap: Lack of a Multilateral Framework for India in Central Asia
India’s bilateral approach through exercises like Dustlik lacks the scalability and sustained engagement offered by China’s SCO-led multilateral framework. This limits India’s ability to institutionalize defence cooperation across Central Asia comprehensively.
- China’s SCO framework integrates military drills with political dialogue and economic initiatives, enhancing cohesion.
- India’s absence from SCO military exercises constrains its influence and operational reach in the region.
- Developing a multilateral mechanism could amplify India’s strategic impact and resource efficiency in Central Asia.
Significance and Way Forward
- Exercise Dustlik strengthens India-Uzbekistan military ties, contributing to regional stability and counter-terrorism cooperation.
- Enhanced interoperability through joint exercises prepares forces for coordinated responses to asymmetric threats.
- India should explore multilateral defence frameworks in Central Asia to match China’s integrated approach.
- Leveraging defence diplomacy alongside economic and energy partnerships can consolidate India’s strategic presence.
- Continued investment in defence exports and technology sharing will support India’s emergence as a regional security provider.
- Exercise Dustlik is a multilateral military exercise conducted under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- The exercise focuses primarily on counter-terrorism and tactical interoperability.
- India contributes over 5,000 troops to Exercise Dustlik.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- The Defence of India Act, 1962, provides the legal basis for military preparedness and exercises.
- The Ministry of Defence (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, empower the MoD to conduct joint exercises.
- Article 246 of the Constitution restricts defence matters to the State List.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance
- JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (International Relations and Security)
- Jharkhand Angle: Jharkhand’s industrial base contributes to defence manufacturing, supporting India’s defence exports and technology development relevant to exercises like Dustlik.
- Mains Pointer: Frame answers highlighting India’s strategic outreach beyond immediate neighbourhood, linking defence diplomacy with economic and technological growth impacting states like Jharkhand.
What is Exercise Dustlik?
Exercise Dustlik is a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan focusing on counter-terrorism and tactical interoperability. The 7th edition was conducted in 2023 with about 300 troops from each side.
Under which legal provisions does India conduct joint military exercises?
Joint exercises are governed by the Defence of India Act, 1962, Ministry of Defence (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, and constitutional provisions under Article 246 and the Union List Entry 2.
How does Exercise Dustlik differ from China’s military exercises in Central Asia?
India’s Exercise Dustlik is a bilateral, smaller scale exercise focusing on interoperability, while China conducts large-scale multilateral drills under SCO emphasizing hard power projection with over 5,000 troops.
What role does defence diplomacy play in India’s Central Asia policy?
Defence diplomacy through exercises like Dustlik enhances military cooperation, builds interoperability, and complements India’s economic and energy ties in Central Asia, balancing regional influence.
What are the key institutions involved in Exercise Dustlik?
The Indian Army, Ministry of Defence, DRDO, Uzbek Ministry of Defence, and strategic think tanks like IDSA are key institutions coordinating Exercise Dustlik.