National Security Doctrine (NSD): Still Work in Progress
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
The wait continues for the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), now in its 25th year, to produce an NSD for parliamentary discussion. In all fairness, however, writes Sanjeev Chopra (former Director, IAS Academy) “the NSCS initiated the first steps toward preparing the NSD late last year by seeking inputs from ministries, state governments, academia, and science and technology establishments. The idea was to have a public document outlining India’s strategic intent and foundational security policy, along the lines of those established by countries such as the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, China, and even Pakistan, among many others.”
NSD is not only of urgent importance, but also needs to be made available in the public domain
Chopra lists several reasons why such an NSD is not only of urgent importance, but also needs to be made available in the public domain.
It is imperative “that the national security doctrine for Viksit Bharat is discussed in the public domain. This will have several clear advantages.”
Need to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment: First, "it would compel the government to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment—a review of the country’s threats and opportunities and an evaluation of India’s short-, medium-, and long-term interests in the context of our energy and food security needs. Our relations with China, Russia, the US, NATO, and our immediate neighbourhood would be part of a holistic strategy rather than a series of one-off engagements. We would also realise that many issues—like the CPEC, LAC, and LOC—are interconnected. We must recognise that the contest with China is not just on the borders but also in the grey zones of all our neighbours—Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. We need to ask ourselves: can our industry be critically dependent on component imports from China? How do we ensure that our media houses, think tanks, and academic institutions are not compromised? It is very important to send a clear signal, lest some of our own institutions are drawn into the embrace of the Dragon.”
Would provide a coherent framework for long-term planning: Second, “an NSD would provide a coherent framework for long-term planning regarding our borders and coastline. Does our naval armada have blue-water capabilities? Which sea lanes are we willing to protect against piracy? What are the costs and benefits? What should we expect from the Quad alliance? All this requires intense peacetime work to secure India’s expanding interests, deter adversaries in the SLOC (sea lanes of communication), and develop requisite military capabilities and international partnerships.”
Gives rationale for allocating resources: Third, “a strategic doctrine gives the government a rationale for allocating resources within the defence forces. Even within theatre commands, there would be intense competition—say between an aircraft carrier, a long-range bomber squad, a mechanised infantry brigade, or a new division devoted to drone surveillance and warfare. The NSD would give the Integrated Defence Staff and future joint organisations a clearer top-down mandate to better align the work of the Indian Forces. It would establish common goals and plans so that various national security agencies, including the ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, and the intelligence agencies, could better coordinate daily at the working level rather than episodically at the Cabinet level.”
Will send clear signals not just to nations but also to non-state actors: Fourth, “the NSD will send clear signals not just to nations but also to non-state actors engaged in terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering. All money and drug trails will be followed to the end, and their operatives and handlers in India will face the consequences. Financing and supporting terror in any form will be crushed. It would help clarify India’s strategic intent—for example, declaring that India will not tolerate any breach in its security apparatus and will act as a security provider in the Indian Ocean, countering armed coercion against smaller countries.”
Last but not least, “it will ensure that India’s bureaucratic, diplomatic, academic, corporate, and military leadership is fully aligned with a policy paper approved by Parliament.”
