India needs the anchor of a national security strategy
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims: National Security Strategy (NSS), Article 370, WTO
For Mains: GS III- LPG, Liberalisation, Protectionism
Highlights of the Article
Chief Defence of Staff (CDS)
National Security Strategy (NSS)
Context:
The new National Democratic Alliance government faces some thorny old problems in national security. It will have to make decisions — or else continue to defer them — on everything from whether to build another aircraft carrier, to the process of implementing theaterisation, to managing strategic relations with the United States and competition with China. How will the coalition government, with competing demands on its resources and attention, make those decisions?
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS
1. National Security Strategy
Most powerful countries develop and publish some form of national security strategy. India, however, does not have such a document. As a result, decisions on capability investments are often made through negotiations among the military services. Plans and priorities become entrenched and are rarely re-evaluated systematically. Grand strategic vision is concentrated in the hands of a few high-ranking government officials, often kept secret or overshadowed by other political considerations
2. Strategic Risks
India cannot afford to be this reactive. The world presents numerous strategic risks, from climate change to pandemics, which require decades of coordinated policy efforts. China alone poses a vast array of interconnected challenges, from its rapidly expanding navy to its geoeconomic influence in South Asia and its leverage in global supply chains. Even distant conflicts, like those in Ukraine and Gaza, reveal new technologies and tactics that will inevitably affect India's neighbourhood. India needs a regular process to analyse and plan for these challenges
3.Benefits of a National Security Strategy (NSS)
A well-crafted and regular NSS would provide India with five crucial benefits:
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Comprehensive Strategic Assessment: It would compel the government to conduct a thorough review of the country’s threats and opportunities, and a stocktake of global security trends. This periodic review would highlight evolving challenges, such as the growth of the Chinese navy, before they become immediate and severe threats.
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Coherent Framework for Long-Term Planning: An NSS would offer a structured approach to long-term strategic planning, helping to secure India’s expanding interests and deter adversaries. It would guide the development of necessary military capabilities and international partnerships, preventing resources from being wasted on low-value projects.
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Signaling Intent: An NSS would clearly communicate India’s strategic intentions to both allies and adversaries, such as its commitment to being a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.
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Government Coordination: It would synchronize efforts across various arms of the government, aligning the work of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, as well as facilitating better coordination among national security agencies.
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Accountability: An NSS would serve as a tool for accountability, ensuring that the bureaucracy adheres to political directives and that government policies are transparent to Parliament and the public.
4. Way Forward
A robust NSS should be a public document endorsed by the Prime Minister to ensure widespread government synchronization and credible signalling of political intent domestically and internationally. While an NSS would not resolve all internal government conflicts, it would identify trade-offs and opportunity costs, enabling political leaders to make rational decisions for long-term growth. This intellectual framework is essential for India to achieve its goal of becoming a leading global power
Mains Practice Question
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Discuss the importance of a National Security Strategy (NSS) for a nation like India. How could an NSS help India address contemporary strategic risks and improve its long-term security planning?
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Analyze the potential benefits of implementing a regular and comprehensive National Security Strategy in India. Highlight how it could enhance coordination among various branches of the military and government.
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Critically evaluate the current approach of India towards its national security in the absence of a formal National Security Strategy. What are the possible risks and drawbacks of this approach?
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