Law first. Rights always.

§1Purpose & scope

1. 1.1This framework applies to every programme concept, service line and technology described on DefenceExporter.com.
2. 1.2It addresses national military-service laws, immigration and citizenship requirements, employment and service regulations, human rights, international humanitarian law, anti-trafficking safeguards, voluntary participation, security screening, data protection, government procurement, accountability, oversight and transparency.
3. 1.3Where this framework and applicable law differ, the stricter standard applies.

§2Voluntary participation

Individuals must participate through lawful and appropriate processes.

1. 2.1Participation is voluntary, informed and free from coercion, deception or undue pressure.
2. 2.2Programme concepts are designed for adults aged 18 or over.
3. 2.3Candidates receive clear information about roles, terms, obligations and rights before any commitment.
4. 2.4Candidates may withdraw from the recruitment process at any time before a lawful appointment, and thereafter in accordance with applicable law and terms of service.

§3Government authorisation

Programmes require appropriate governmental authority.

1. 3.1No programme proceeds without the authorisation of every competent government involved.
2. 3.2Private companies cannot simply recruit people and independently determine where or how they participate in armed conflict. DefenceExporter does not, and will not, do so.
3. 3.3Selection, appointment, command, roles, deployment and activation are decisions for the state alone.
4. 3.4Engagements with governments follow applicable public procurement rules.

§4Human rights

Respect for applicable human-rights standards.

1. 4.1DefenceExporter's approach is informed by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including human-rights due diligence.
2. 4.2No discrimination in recruitment on grounds prohibited by applicable law.
3. 4.3Dignity, health, safety and welfare are protected throughout recruitment and training.

§5International humanitarian law

Activities must comply with applicable legal obligations.

1. 5.1Programmes must be consistent with the Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols where applicable, and customary international humanitarian law.
2. 5.2Instruction in the law of armed conflict is part of foundation training, delivered by authorised providers.
3. 5.3DefenceExporter does not provide operational combat instruction, battlefield tactics or weapons training; see §6.

§6Weapons & arms training

Weapons instruction is a sovereign function, provided by the state and governed by the state's law.

1. 6.1DefenceExporter does not provide, arrange, subcontract or fund weapons handling, firearms, live-fire, combat, tactical or operational instruction — and does not own, hold, store, transport, broker or sell weapons or ammunition.
2. 6.2Weapons instruction is delivered only by the receiving state: by its armed forces, or by a military training establishment that the state itself licenses and supervises — on state premises, with state-owned weapons, by state or state-licensed instructors.
3. 6.3Weapons instruction follows lawful appointment or enlistment. Before that point an individual is a civilian candidate, and no weapons instruction forms any part of a DefenceExporter programme.
4. 6.4Provisions that may apply include national arms and firearms legislation; defence legislation and service regulations; export controls on military training and technical assistance; anti-mercenary and foreign-service law; immigration and status arrangements; and international humanitarian law.
5. 6.5These provisions differ in every jurisdiction. Country-specific legal review is required in each state involved before any programme touches this area. See also the full position on weapons training.

§7Anti-trafficking

No forced recruitment or exploitation.

1. 7.1Zero tolerance for trafficking in persons, forced labour and debt bondage.
2. 7.2Candidates are not charged recruitment fees or related costs.
3. 7.3Identity documents are never retained as a condition of participation.
4. 7.4Sub-agents and partners are held to the same standards and subject to audit.

§8Security screening

Appropriate eligibility and background checks.

1. 8.1Screening is conducted lawfully, proportionately and with informed consent.
2. 8.2Clearance decisions are made solely by competent government authorities.
3. 8.3Screening processes cannot be waived, shortened or bypassed to meet targets.

§9Data protection

Sensitive information requires appropriate safeguards.

1. 9.1Personal data is processed lawfully, for specified purposes, and minimised to what those purposes require.
2. 9.2Applicable data-protection laws are respected — for example, India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 or the EU General Data Protection Regulation, where they apply.
3. 9.3Encryption, role-based access, audit logging and data segregation are designed into the platform concept.
4. 9.4Candidate information is never exposed publicly.

§10Oversight

Clear accountability structures.

1. 10.1Every programme has a named government owner and defined reporting lines.
2. 10.2Programmes are open to independent audit by bodies the governments appoint.
3. 10.3Accessible, confidential grievance mechanisms with protection from retaliation.

§11Transparency

Programme scope and responsibilities should be clearly defined.

1. 11.1Scope, responsibilities, funding and exit arrangements are documented in writing.
2. 11.2DefenceExporter does not claim partnerships, contracts, endorsements or certifications that do not exist.
3. 11.3Illustrative scenarios on this website are labelled as such.

§12Legal status of personnel

1. 12.1Where personnel become members of a state's armed forces, their legal status and obligations are determined by applicable law and the circumstances of their service.
2. 12.2Actual military service remains subject to the receiving state's laws, military command structure and applicable international obligations.
3. 12.3International law, including Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions and the 1989 International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, addresses mercenarism. DefenceExporter's model is founded on lawful, government-authorised processes and rejects any activity of that kind.

§14Reference instruments

International instruments that inform this framework (non-exhaustive; applicability depends on the states involved):

• 1949Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols (1977)
• 1930 / 2014ILO Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) and its 2014 Protocol
• 1989International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries
• 2000UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol)
• 2000Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
• 2008The Montreux Document on private military and security companies
• 2011UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• —ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment

§15Raising a concern

1. 15.1

   If you have a concern about anything done in DefenceExporter's name — including any request for a recruitment fee — contact im@digantsharma.com or +91 9769999960.

2. 15.2Concerns will be treated confidentially and without retaliation.