Posts

Posted on

227: Urgent Need for National Security Strategy / Policy Document

 

PART 1: POLICY DOCUMENT & ITS ADVANTAGES

 

NSS Policy Document

 

  • NSS document outlines country’s major security concerns and guideline plans to deal with them.

 

  • It is Vision of the path nation should take in pursuit of attaining national objectives.

 

  • It outlines countries power to overcome internal and external challenges and projection of comprehensive national power.

 

  • It is a plan to employ tools of national power in accordance with national policy to achieve national security objectives I support of national interests.

 

  • It guides Military and Foreign Policy.

 

  • From NSS flows the national military strategy.

 

  • Joint, air, land and maritime strategies are derived from the military strategy.

 

Advantages of Clearly Defined NSS Policy Document.

 

  • It provides clear direction preventing ad hocism and knee jerk reactions.

 

  • It helps in a synchronised approach by various agencies and ministries. Whole of government approach becomes easier.

 

  • It encourages proactive approach.

 

  • It provides consistency and immunity from regime change.

 

  • It helps in formulation of appropriate response policy by better coordination and analysis of complex inter-relationship between domestic and external dimensions.

 

  • It helps in dealing with internal security challenges arising out of economic, political and social issues. Helps in timely political intervention and implementation of social welfare programmes, rather than using hard power alone.

 

PART 2: INDIAN CONTEXT

 

India Does not have a Comprehensive National Security Strategy Document.

 

NSC was formed in 1999. Still after 22 years the NSS document has not been promulgated.

 

Previous Attempts

 

Last two decades the issue has surfaced many times in the media.

 

  • In 1999 it found a mention in the Kargil Review Committee report.

 

  • It was reported that in 2007, HQ IDS submitted a draft NSS document to NSA and PMO.

 

  • It found a mention again in 2012, in the Naresh Chandra Task Force report on security.

 

  • It was reported in 2015 that NSAB document “Building Comprehensive National Power towards Integrated NSS” has been prepared.

 

  • In 2018 it was reported again that NSAB has drafted a NSS document and it has been reviewed by the Defence Planning Committee and forwarded to defence and foreign secretory.

 

  • In 2019 Congress party asked Retired Gen DS Hooda to prepare a draft NSS document.

 

Possible Reasons for Non promulgation of NSS.

 

  • No Political consensus on national security issues and ways to deal with them.

 

  • No common understanding and agreement about its contents

 

  • Fear of failure and criticism.

 

  • Political games and election gimmicks.

 

Indian National Security Objectives

 

For formulation of NSS document the starting point would be listing out the National Security Objectives. These have been suggested by many think tanks, analysts and writers. The national security objectives could include the following:

 

  • Strengthening of capabilities to maintain credible deterrence.

 

  • Protect and safe guard India’s
  • National Sovereignty.
  • National Constitution and Core Values.
  • National Territorial Integrity.
  • Air, space, cyber and maritime domains.

 

  • Maintain peaceful Internal Security environment by guarding against threats to national unity and development.

 

  • Human security by protecting citizens and providing them a safe, just, equitable and prosperous climate.

 

  • Achieving Safe neighbourhood and constructive engagement with other nations.

 

  • Maintaining rightful place in the international global affairs.

 

 

PART 3: RECOMMENDATIONS

 

There is an urgent need to formulate and promulgate NSS document. Suggestions are as follows:

 

  • It should be a comprehensive document covering all the security concerns.

 

  • It should contain broad guidelines about ways to deal with them.

 

  • It could be very specific about certain issues while being open ended about others.

 

  • It could have two components – classified and unclassified.

 

  • It should have a short, medium and long term road map.

 

  • It should cover external and internal challenges.

 

  • It should touch regional and global issues of concern.

 

  • It should provide guidelines for multi-agency response.

 

  • It should serve as a national guiding document and not become a political tool.

 

Suggested Contents

 

Some of the suggested contents are as follows:

 

  • National security objectives.

 

  • Geopolitical and security environment (regional and global).

 

  • Security concerns related to all the tools of statecraft (DIME).

 

  • Could include following:
    • External security.
    • Internal security (NE, J&K, Naxalism and Terrorism)
    • Economic security
    • Energy security
    • Food security
    • Health security
    • CBRN concerns
    • Cyber security
    • Space security
    • Information security and media concerns
    • Water concerns
    • Environmental concerns
    • Disaster management.

 

  • Military capabilities
    • Deterrence value
    • Multi domain capabilities to deal with future wars.
    • Expeditionary capabilities.

 

  • Technology harnessing for civil and military purposes.

 

  • Structural reforms of national security apparatus.

 

  • Border management and demographic issues.

 

  • Issues related to natural resources and minerals.

 

  • Defence industry and Atmanirbharta.

 

The list is not comprehensive. Many more issues could be added or some of these could be left out for time being. A beginning could be made with a draft document and let it evolve over a period of time.

 

Titbits

USA in a period of 30 years (1987 – 2017) published 17 NSS documents. The document has been reviewed by every president and multiple times by some of them. The US document size varies from 40 to 70 Pages.

 

Coming Up

Pakistan’s Proposed National security policy Document.

 

Bottom Line

 There is an urgent need for Formulation and publication of National Security Strategy / Policy document.

 

Question

In India can we overcome political fears and publish the document?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

Commodore Sujeet Samaddar (Retd) wrote about this topic in his book in 2003.

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

References:

1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Strategy_(India)#:~:text=The%20National%20Security%20Strategy%20(NSS,challenge%20of%20successive%20Indian%20governments.

  1. https://thewire.in/security/india-must-chart-out-a-national-security-strategy-for-a-changing-geopolitical-world
  2. https://www.cprindia.org/news/need-comprehensive-national-security-strategy 
  1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-blueprint-for-a-national-security-strategy/article27211062.ece
  2. https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ANationalSecurityStrategyDocumentforIndia_arvindgupta_201011
  3. http://164.100.47.193/fileupload/current/120816.pdf
  4. https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/india-needs-national-security-strategy-to-set-redlines-like-ladakh-intrusion-force-govt-to-build-capability-2783219.html

Posted on

226: SHIQURDU 23

 

131

हर घड़ी ख़ुद से उलझना है मुक़द्दर मेरा

मैं ही कश्ती हूँ , मुझी में है समंदर मेरा

 

 

132

चाँद निकलेगा तो सब लोग दुआ मांगेंगे,

हम भी अपने मुकद्दर का लिखा मांगेंगे,

 

हम तलबगार नहीं दुनिया की दौलत के,

हम तो रब से बस आपकी ख़ुशी मांगेंगे।

 

 

133

उलझा हुआ सवाल सा , सुलझा हुआ ख्याल सा,

जुनूं बनकर दहकता है , साँसों में उल्फत का इक उबाल सा.

 

 

134

फ़ना न कर अपनी ज़िन्दगी को ऐ इंसान राह -ऐ -जूनून में,

तब करेगा इबादत जब गुनाह करने की ताक़त न होगी.

 

 

135

धूप में निकलो , घटाओं में नहा कर देखो

ज़िन्दगी क्या है , दिल से परदा  हटा कर देखो

 

 

  • Shiqurdu is a collection of thoughts. Although an odd sounding name, but felt appropriate for the collection.

 

  • These are simplified quotes in Hurdu (Hurdu being a mix of Hindi and Urdu akin to Hinglish i.e., hindi and english). Although in some cases the language has been simplified but attempt has been made to retain the thought and the poetic flavor.

 

  • These thoughts have been picked up from various publications. Credit goes to all the original writers who penned down these deep meaning messages.

 

 

Comments  and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

 

 

Posted on

225: Knowing Nanak

May GURU fill your life with Eternal Joy & Happiness.

 

Guru Nanak ji was born as Nanak on 15 April 1469. He is the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak.

 

Nanak is said to have travelled far and wide across Asia teaching people the message of ik onkar (ੴ, ‘one God’), who dwells in every one of his creations and constitutes the eternal Truth. With this concept, he set up a unique spiritual, social, and political platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue.

 

Nanak’s words are registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns, or shabda, in the holy text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib.

 

The significance of his teachings was to trust in your good Karma and one higher power. One of the most essential Guru Nanak dev Ji teachings is his belief in brotherhood and equality.

 

Some of his teachings are as follows:-

  • One supreme reality- Ek Onkar. Ek Onkar, in literal terms, means ‘God is One.’ At a very young age, Guru Nanak Ji challenged societal rules and laws. And when he formed Sikhism, he emphasized One God.

 

  • No discrimination. One of the most essential Guru Nanak dev Ji teachings is his belief in brotherhood and equality. He considered everyone equals irrespective of colour, caste, gender, status, religion, or rank. His two pupils were Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala, who Guru Nanak addressed as ‘Bhai’ like his true brothers and not by their caste or race.

 

  • Reject five sins ‘Panj Vikar’. Guru Nanak Dev Ji talked about the five evils that resided in the human body and mind. And he taught us to reject these five evils or thieves as they derelict us from our duties and weaken us. The five sins are Kam(lust), Krodh(Anger), Lobh(greed), Moh(attachment), and Ahankar(Ego).

 

  • Kirat Karo- Work Honestly. Kirat Karo means to work honestly, which is one of the most important pillars of Sikhism. Throughout his life, Guru Nanak Ji propagated that all humans need to earn their daily living through honest means and use their talents and skills to live an honest life.

 

  • Vand Shhako- Share and Consume. Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed that those who were capable should take responsibility for the needy. He taught us the significance of sharing and how the world could become a better place if people engage in activities meant for the betterment of society.

 

  • Sewa- Selfless Service. Guru Nanak Dev Ji firmly always believed and practised selfless service. He thought that one could achieve true contentment only through engaging in completely selfless acts.

 

  • Kindness and compassion. Guru Nanak Dev Ji truly believed that only kindness and compassion could positively influence and change the whole world. By his actions, he proved his strong belief in the idea that every person of this world, no matter how evil, deserves kindness from his other fellow creatures and that can change a person for good. 

 

  • Every life has a purpose to fulfil. Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed that God had a clear goal behind world creation. Therefore, all the dilemmas in your life can turn into something productive if you look at the world this way.

 

  • Stand against oppression. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught all of us a lesson of inner strength. He said one should always raise their voice against the wrong and and that’s when the change begins.

 

  • Respect Women. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has always stood for the rights of women. In one of his earlier verses, he demanded an equal place for women in society by saying, ”why to disrespect the one who gives birth to the majestic kings of the world”. 

 

Bottom Line

Most of his teachings point toward one word

TOLERANCE.

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

English हिंदी