A nation's military capability comprises both hard and soft power. While the former is defined by the conventional military balance and associated technological capability and human skills, soft power, more often than not, political, economic and military tools, in pursuit of national interest, to deal with security challenges and enhance national interests. Defence cooperation is a politico-military tool that can be adroitly employed in realising the above twin objectives.

There are various facets of international defence and military cooperation as part of the larger defence diplomacy and security cooperation, which can be employed to create a peaceful security environment. It is an institutional means of engaging foreign militaries and Defence Ministries which could weather political upheavals while affording many means of developing mutual understanding, leading to trust, reduction of threats and conflict prevention. These go a long way in impacting on the defence and security, and economic and social development of a national. In this context, it is interesting to comprehend the conduct of international defence and military cooperation of other countries and then in that light, analyse the Indian approach. Enabling Military-Military Cooperation as a Foreign Policy Tool sets out to cover these aspects with the additive of practical and workable suggestions for the Indian Government and Service Headquarters.