- Looking around the world would reveal that most nations irrespective of their standing vis-à-vis the developed, the developing, and the poor always accord primary considerations to national security. The sovereignty of a nation overwhelmingly commands the attention of the government to ensure their respective territories are guarded against enemies with full force. Thus, national security policy assumes paramount importance to not only delineate the necessary wherewithal to withstand aggression from potential enemies but also leave no stone unturned in strengthening war preparedness perpetually.
PC: Robert Longley
- Remember, any identity associated with the nation derives its very existence from ensuring sovereignty at all costs. And security strategy essays a huge role in this. Most nations also have a national security strategy in place comprehensively defining the essentials to defend and attack enemies as the situation demands. Surprisingly, India aspires to be counted among the developed nations, and targeting to cross the milestone of a $5 trillion economy, but has no national security strategy in place. As you are aware, both our Western and Eastern borders are always abuzz with enemy challenges from Pakistan and China. This hasn’t slowed down one bit.
- In comparison, the Biden administration published its new National Security Strategy (NSS) for the US that clearly defines China as the main systemic challenge, identified Russia as an immediate threat, and again highlights a coming global struggle between democracies and autocracies. While all of these are things that Washington had already been signalling for some time now, the document does help reiterate the US position in a complex geopolitical environment. Interestingly, every new American administration is required to publish an NSS by law. Other consequential countries also put out their version of the document naming it differently though.
PC: News.USNI
- China has its defence white papers, the UK has brought out an Integrated Review 2021, and France has its Strategic Update. Astonishingly, even Pakistan brought out one earlier this year. Quite intriguingly, India doesn’t publish anything similar despite being surrounded by enemy challenges. Yes, there was only a 2004 Indian army doctrine. A comprehensive NSS in line with the established norms should be par for the course measure indeed. Needless to mention, a comprehensive NSS that addresses both internal and external security challenges, economic, and technological priorities, and regional and global opportunities, will add credibility to the Indian policy establishment.
- The world has changed dramatically in the last three decades, and security can no longer be viewed solely through the prism of conventional military power. As such, the security of vital supply chains, cyber and energy security, space and maritime domains, and economic growth are all crucial components of an NSS. Some may argue that not having a pre-stated grand strategy given India’s context-specific strategic elbowroom. Conversely, every power that publishes such a grand vision also cuts corners when needed. In conclusion, not having a published NSS is a bad advertisement for India’s power.
