Daily Current Affairs : 23-September-2024
India urgently requires a National Security Strategy (NSS) to effectively address evolving security challenges. The NSS is a comprehensive framework that integrates defense, finance, and other critical sectors, ensuring a unified and coordinated approach to national security.
What is a National Security Strategy (NSS)?
A National Security Strategy is a document that outlines a country’s security objectives and the means to achieve them. It addresses both traditional threats (like military aggression) and non-traditional threats (such as cyber attacks or terrorism). The NSS aligns with a country’s constitutional values and democratic principles and includes:
- Threat assessments: Identifying potential dangers to national security.
- Resource allocation: Determining how to effectively allocate resources for defense and intelligence.
- Policy recommendations: Outlining strategies for defense, intelligence, and other critical sectors.
Several countries, including the U.S., U.K., China, and Pakistan, have formal NSS documents. India, however, has yet to implement a comprehensive NSS, despite attempts in the past, like the Kargil Review Committee Report (2000) and General D.S. Hooda’s document (2019).
Why Does India Need an NSS?
India’s security environment has changed dramatically over the years, necessitating an updated and cohesive strategy. The benefits of a National Security Strategy for India include:
- Updating Outdated Policies: The current defense policy (from 2009) is outdated and does not address new threats like hybrid warfare and China’s naval expansion.
- Addressing Evolving Threats: Hybrid warfare, cyber threats, and terrorism require a coordinated national response.
- Long-term Planning: An NSS helps avoid short-term decisions and ensures strategic consistency in security policy.
- Strategic Signaling: A formal NSS clarifies India’s role on the global stage, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthens its partnerships with like-minded nations.
- Promoting Accountability: The NSS will provide a clear reference for peer review, improving national security coordination.
Benefits of a National Security Strategy
A well-formulated NSS will provide India with a clear roadmap for tackling current and future security challenges:
- Adapting to Changing Security Dynamics: Major powers like the U.S. and the U.K. update their NSS regularly to address emerging challenges. India’s NSS should similarly ensure that evolving threats, such as China’s expanding naval influence, are effectively managed.
- Framework for Effective Long-term Planning: A coherent strategy will prevent hasty, ad hoc decisions, such as the discontinuation of India’s five-year defense plans.
- Clear Operational Guidance: The NSS can guide decisions on defense operations, including the implementation of theater commands and other military strategies.
- Coordinating a Whole-of-Nation Approach: An NSS will help bring together various national resources—defense, intelligence, finance—to work in synergy, strengthening responses to hybrid warfare, cyber threats, and counter-terrorism.
Challenges in Formulating an NSS for India
While the need for an NSS is clear, India faces several challenges in creating one:
- Lack of Political Will and Consensus: Political disagreements, fears of accountability, and limited expertise in defense matters have delayed the creation of a formal NSS. Despite recommendations from committees like the Naresh Chandra Committee (2011), consensus has not been reached.
- Loss of Strategic Flexibility: Some argue that a formal NSS could limit India’s ability to adjust its policies to changing circumstances, similar to how Israel operates without a formal NSS.
- Resource Constraints: Implementing an NSS requires significant financial and human resources. India currently lacks the robust defense think tanks and funding that countries like the U.S. and China have.
- Adapting to Evolving Threats: Constantly updating the NSS to address new threats, such as cyber-attacks and terrorism, presents an ongoing challenge.
Steps Taken Towards Formulating an NSS
India has taken several steps toward creating a National Security Strategy, although no formal document has been established:
- Kargil Review Committee Report (2000): This report offered important security recommendations but did not result in an NSS.
- Naresh Chandra Committee (2011): The committee recommended defense and intelligence reforms but did not lead to a formal NSS.
- Defence Planning Committee (2018): Chaired by the National Security Advisor, this body has been tasked with drafting an NSS.
- Hooda Committee (2018): This committee called for a comprehensive NSS to address evolving security challenges, promote India’s global role, and strengthen internal security.
Important Points:
Here are the key bullet points based on the essay:
What is a National Security Strategy (NSS)?
- A National Security Strategy (NSS) outlines a country’s security goals and methods to achieve them.
- It addresses both traditional threats (military) and non-traditional threats (cyber, terrorism).
- The NSS aligns with a country’s constitutional values and democratic principles.
- Key components include threat assessments, resource allocation, and defense and intelligence policies.
Why India Needs a National Security Strategy (NSS)
- Update Outdated Policies: Replace the 2009 defense directive with an updated strategy to address modern threats.
- Address Evolving Threats: Tackle emerging threats like hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, and China’s growing naval power.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning: Prevent short-term, ad hoc decisions and ensure consistent, long-term security policies.
- Strategic Signaling: Clarify India’s global security role, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthen international partnerships.
- Promote Accountability: Provide a framework for peer review and improve national security coordination.
Benefits of a National Security Strategy for India
- Adapt to Changing Security Dynamics: Regularly review and address evolving threats like hybrid warfare and China’s naval expansion.
- Framework for Long-term Planning: A coherent strategy helps avoid hasty, short-term decisions and ensures a structured approach.
- Operational Clarity: Guide decisions related to defense operations, including military strategies and theater commands.
- Whole-of-Nation Approach: Foster coordination across various sectors—defense, intelligence, finance—to strengthen national security.
Challenges in Formulating an NSS
- Lack of Political Consensus: Political disagreements, fears of accountability, and limited defense expertise have delayed NSS development.
- Loss of Strategic Flexibility: Formalizing an NSS may limit the ability to adjust policies quickly, as seen in Israel’s flexible approach without a formal NSS.
- Resource Constraints: India lacks sufficient financial and institutional resources for implementing an NSS.
- Adapting to Evolving Threats: Constant updates are needed to address new, non-traditional security threats such as cyber warfare and terrorism.
Steps Taken Towards Formulating an NSS
- Kargil Review Committee (2000): Provided security recommendations but no NSS.
- Naresh Chandra Committee (2011): Suggested defense and intelligence reforms, but no formal NSS.
- Defence Planning Committee (2018): Tasked with drafting a National Security Strategy.
- Hooda Committee (2018): Recommended a comprehensive NSS to address evolving security challenges and enhance India’s global role.
Why In News
India urgently needs a National Security Strategy (NSS) that integrates defense, finance, and other critical sectors into a unified framework, ensuring a coordinated approach to address both traditional and emerging threats in a rapidly changing global security environment. This comprehensive strategy will align national resources, strengthen internal and external security, and promote strategic foresight for India’s long-term stability.
MCQs about India’s Need for a National Security Strategy (NSS)
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What is the primary purpose of a National Security Strategy (NSS)?
A. To define a country’s economic policies
B. To outline security goals and methods to achieve them
C. To establish international trade agreements
D. To regulate government bureaucracy
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Which of the following is a benefit of a National Security Strategy (NSS) for India?
A. It reduces the need for military spending
B. It provides a framework for long-term, strategic planning
C. It focuses only on internal security threats
D. It promotes short-term, reactive security policies
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What challenge has India faced in formulating a National Security Strategy (NSS)?
A. There is a lack of modern military equipment
B. Political disagreements and lack of consensus
C. There is no threat from neighboring countries
D. There is an overabundance of defense resources
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Which committee was tasked with drafting India’s National Security Strategy (NSS) in 2018?
A. Kargil Review Committee
B. Naresh Chandra Committee
C. Defence Planning Committee
D. Hooda Committee
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