Indian Army Coins New IKIGAI for Land Forces in Japan

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), has outlined a new cooperative vision for the Indo-Pacific. He did this while virtually addressing the 3rd Land Forces Summit hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The conclave brought together Army Chiefs and senior commanders from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and the United States. This gathering reinforced the importance of land power in a rapidly evolving regional security landscape. In his remarks, the Indian Army chief emphasized the need for structured multilateral engagement. This approach aims to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

IKIGAI framework for land power

General Dwivedi’s address featured the unveiling of the “IKIGAI” Framework. It was presented as a comprehensive roadmap to deepen land forces cooperation among like-minded nations in the region. He explained that the framework seeks to give partners a shared vocabulary. It also provides a method to align their military engagements, exercises, and institutional linkages. Each element of IKIGAI captures a core area where combined efforts can produce greater strategic outcomes than isolated national initiatives.

The “I” for Interoperability and Information Sharing focuses on building compatible procedures. It also emphasizes communication systems and joint operating practices. These practices allow armies to act together seamlessly in crises. “K” stands for Knowledge and Professional Military Education. It highlights joint training programmes. This includes exchanges between staff colleges and collaborative research. These efforts can raise the professional standards of participating forces. The second “I” emphasises International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Rapid and coordinated military responses are often crucial. These responses are necessary when natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies strike the Indo-Pacific.

Technology, assurance and sustainment

The “G” in the IKIGAI Framework represents Generative Technological Partnerships. It encourages cooperation on emerging defence technologies. It also fosters innovation ecosystems and capability development. These efforts aim to keep regional land forces ahead of evolving threats. “A” signals Assurance for Security Partnerships, reflecting the importance of building trust, predictability and long-term commitments in defence relationships. The final “I”, Integrated Logistics and Sustainment, underscores the need for shared logistics architectures. It highlights the need for maintenance support and supply chains. These elements are essential to sustain combined operations over distance and time.

General Dwivedi also underlined three pillars of convergence that, in his view, must guide effective land power cooperation. The first pillar is Shared Diagnosis of regional challenges. The second is Shared Principles in upholding international norms. The third pillar is Shared Actions to respond collectively when required. The Land Forces Summit, he noted, provides a crucial platform for senior leadership dialogue. It encourages structured exchanges and practical initiatives. These efforts bring these ideas to life. The Indian Army chief framed a common “IKIGAI” for Indo-Pacific land forces. This signalled New Delhi’s intention to play an active and constructive role. They aim to shape a secure and rules-based regional order.

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