India starts process to adopt National Security Strategy: why this is significant
- After years of deliberations, India has initiated the process of creating a National Security Strategy.
- The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is collecting inputs from various ministries and departments.
- This marks India's first attempt at crafting such a strategy.
What is a National Security Strategy?
- A National Security Strategy document outlines the country’s security objectives, and the means to achieve them.
- It defines traditional, non-traditional threats and opportunities, introducing accountability for agencies responsible for implementation.
- It would guide the military as well as critical defense and security reforms with strategic implications, providing a holistic view of the overall national security.
Countries with National Security Strategies
- Most developed countries with advanced military and security infrastructure have such strategies.
- Examples include the US, UK, Russia, China and Pakistan.
India's Need for a National Security Strategy
- India has long discussed the need for a National Security Strategy.
- Urgency arises from rising geopolitical tensions and evolving various traditional and non-traditional threats.
- Experts highlight the importance of military reforms stemming from a national security strategy.
Why India Didn't Have a National Security Strategy?
- In the past, three attempts were made to develop a strategy but faced political hesitation.
- Accountability in defense management may have been a concern.
- Various views exist in the strategic community regarding the reasons for India's delay in creating a strategy.
- These include lack of a cohesive, whole-of-government effort, the government deliberately not making public its national security objectives etc.