India needs the anchor of a national security strategy (GS Paper 2, Polity)
Introduction
- The new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in India is confronted with pressing national security challenges, including key decisions on military investments and strategic partnerships.
- Experts advocate for the creation of a comprehensive National Security Strategy (NSS) to ensure coordinated, long-term planning and efficient resource utilization, thereby bolstering India's global standing.
Need for a Holistic Approach
To effectively manage national security, the government must adopt a holistic approach. This involves:
- Moving beyond piecemeal and haphazard reforms and relationships.
- Developing a new framework for decision-making, specifically by formulating an NSS.
Lack of a National Security Strategy
Unlike many major powers, India does not publish an NSS. This results in:
- Capability investment decisions being made through internal negotiations among military services.
- Plans and priorities becoming entrenched and rarely re-evaluated.
- Grand strategic vision being confined to a few top officials and often overshadowed by other political considerations.
Strategic Risks
- India must proactively address strategic risks rather than reacting to them. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and China's rapid naval buildup require decades of coordinated policy effort.
- Conflicts in regions like Ukraine and Gaza could introduce new technologies and tactics to India’s neighborhood. Regular processes are needed to understand and plan for these challenges.
Benefits of a National Security Strategy
Comprehensive Strategic Assessment
- An NSS would mandate a thorough review of threats and opportunities, forcing India to address evolving challenges, like the growth of the Chinese navy, before they become severe threats.
Coherent Framework for Long-Term Planning
- An NSS would provide a coherent framework for long-term planning. Strategic competition requires extensive peacetime work to conceptualize security measures, develop military capabilities, and form international partnerships.
- An NSS would help the government make informed decisions on resource allocation, such as choosing between a new aircraft carrier or a new infantry division.
Instrument for Signalling Intent
- An NSS would signal India’s strategic intent to both friends and adversaries, clarifying its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean and its commitment to countering armed coercion against smaller countries.
- It would also communicate India’s policies to its partners, highlighting areas of converging interests and explaining cooperation limits.
Synchronization of Government Efforts
- An NSS would synchronize efforts across various government arms, aligning the work of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy.
- It would also improve coordination among national security agencies, including the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, and intelligence agencies.
Accountability and Transparency
- An NSS would introduce a new accountability tool, ensuring the bureaucracy adheres to the political leadership’s intent.
- It would make the government’s national security policies transparent to Parliament and the public, ensuring citizens understand how their government plans to safeguard national security.
Characteristics of an Effective National Security Strategy
An effective NSS should:
- Be a public document issued with the imprimatur of the Prime Minister.
- Synchronize efforts across the government and signal the government’s political intent domestically and internationally.
- Identify trade-offs and opportunity costs, enabling political leaders to make rational decisions for long-term growth.
- Provide the intellectual framework necessary for India to become one of the world’s leading powers.
Conclusion
- The new NDA government must address national security challenges with a holistic and strategic approach.
- Developing and implementing an NSS is essential for coordinated, long-term planning and effective resource use.
- By doing so, India can better manage its national security, address evolving threats, and strengthen its position as a global power.
