The ongoing debate and increasing demands for India to develop a comprehensive National Security Strategy (NSS) have gained urgency due to growing external threats and economic challenges. A coherent NSS should integrate various sectors, such as defence and finance, to effectively prioritise national interests.

Reasons for the Increasing Demand

• Changing Geopolitical Landscape:
  • Neighbourhood in Flux: Traditional adversaries are gaining strength, such as the resurgence of groups like the Bangladesh National Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, posing a threat to India’s security.
  • New Allies Not Fully Committed: Key allies like the U.S. and Japan have yet to fully commit to working with India in the Indo-Pacific and particularly South Asia, leaving uncertainties in future collaborations.
• Economic Challenges:
  • Economic Disruption: India’s ambition to become a $4 trillion economy (with a target of $5 trillion) has been hindered by global disruptions like the Russia-Ukraine war. A strong economy is crucial for national security, as adequate financial resources are essential for allocating funds to various sectors, including defence.

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Defining National Security

The concept of national security differs across countries and time periods, evolving to address both traditional and modern threats. For instance, while climate change was not traditionally seen as a security concern, it is now recognized as a significant threat to national and global stability. Each nation shapes its security strategy based on its unique circumstances, yet there are some common components such as:

• Economic Strength: A strong economy is the foundation of national security, as it enables a country to allocate resources effectively across sectors, including defence, infrastructure, and social services.
• Defence Capabilities: Ensuring military preparedness and technological advancement to safeguard territorial integrity and respond to external threats is a critical aspect of national security.
• Diplomatic Relations: Building and maintaining strong diplomatic ties helps a country navigate international challenges, form strategic alliances, and manage conflicts without direct confrontation.
• National Values and Interests: Protecting and promoting a country’s core values—such as democracy, sovereignty, and cultural identity—are integral to its long-term security.
• Prioritising Resources: A well-defined National Security Strategy (NSS) must clearly outline the prioritisation of resources to balance these components effectively. For example, if India prioritises the Indo-Pacific region, it would need to allocate more resources to shipbuilding, expanding its navy, and enhancing submarine capabilities to secure its maritime interests. This strategic allocation is key to addressing both current and potential threats.

Thus, the main challenge in formulating a National Security Strategy lies in defining what exactly falls under the umbrella of “national security.” 

Global Examples 

U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS)

• Global Leadership Focus: The primary aim is to maintain the U.S.’s global leadership position.
• Balancing Values and Interests: The NSS attempts to balance American values (like democracy) with national interests, but there is a noted hypocrisy in supporting dictators for economic gains, particularly in regions like the Middle East. India’s NSS should strive for consistency in its values and actions, avoiding the contradictions seen in U.S. policy.
• Value Emphasis: Biden’s NSS emphasises ‘values’ significantly, mentioning it 29 times, reflecting a commitment to promoting democracy. Like the U.S., India can emphasise its values, but it must ensure that these align with its foreign policy actions.
• Guidance for Other Documents:The NSS serves as a foundational document that guides subsequent strategies, such as the National Defense Strategy and Service Postures. The Indian NSS can also provide direction for various government departments and agencies, shaping a cohesive national security framework.
• Power Projection:The NSS acts as a tool for power projection, aimed at both internal audiences (to instil pride in voters) and external threats (like China).
• Budget Implications: The NSS influences budget allocations and sanctions by Congress, directing funding based on perceived threats (e.g., increased resources for countering China). The Indian NSS could similarly influence budgetary decisions, ensuring that funding aligns with strategic priorities and perceived threats.

United Kingdom

The U.K. released their security document “Integrated Review”  in 2021.The focus was on:

• Global Order and Alliances: The Integrated Review emphasises the importance of working with allies to shape a stable global order. However, critics argue that the UK is overstating its global power status, especially given its current resource limitations. It can hardly afford aircraft for its carriers, but it still projects itself as a “European power with global interests”. 

France

The security document was released in 2022 and was significantly influenced by the geopolitical landscape following the Ukraine war. Its objectives were:

• European Leadership: A key purpose of the document was to position France as a leader within Europe, aiming to enhance its influence in European security and defence matters.
• Nuclear Deterrence Reaffirmation: The document reaffirmed France’s commitment to its nuclear capabilities, emphasising the importance of nuclear deterrence as a cornerstone of its national security strategy. Despite its ambitious goals, the document did not fully achieve its intended effects.

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India’s Unique Challenges in Creating an NSS

• Secrecy vs. Transparency: When developing a security strategy, it’s essential to clearly identify threats, such as the potential threat posed by China. However, in budget speeches, specific names like China are often omitted.  This creates a dilemma: if we openly acknowledge clear threats, such as vulnerabilities along the eastern border where resources are lacking and the potential for Chinese aggression exists, we risk compromising security. 
  • Consequently, the document may need to be kept secret. On the other hand, if the document is intended for public access, we cannot disclose such vulnerabilities, as no state is willing to expose its weaknesses. Balancing the need for transparency with the imperative of secrecy presents a significant challenge in formulating an effective NSS.
• Diplomatic Balancing Act: In today’s world, the economy is central to addressing various challenges. States with robust economies can manage problems independently, while others often rely on alliances, akin to a political system of alliances.
  • Shift in approach: India has shifted from a stance of Non-Alignment to one of Multi-Alignment. In the past, India did not actively pursue group alliances; it adhered to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). However, recognizing China as a significant threat has prompted a reevaluation. India now seeks partnerships that can enhance its resources, intelligence, and overall resilience in difficult situations.
  • QUAD: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, is an emerging alliance focused on security. Although the Quad recently held discussions, India keeps emphasising that it is not a military coalition; it engages in bilateral security dialogues instead. Additionally, as a member of BRICS, an economic group, India is cautious about over-relying on Western partners. BRICS membership is strategically important as it may serve as a hedge against potential economic vulnerabilities.         
    • Economic threat: However, managing an $85 billion trade deficit with China presents a significant challenge. While the threat from China extends to political borders, such as in the Galwan Valley, there are also economic threats that cannot be overlooked.
• Military Capabilities: Countries like Pakistan often lack transparency in sharing their military budgets, primarily to avoid revealing vulnerabilities in their military capabilities. India also faces similar challenges when it comes to publicly acknowledging its own defence shortcomings, particularly in comparisons with the military capacities of China and Pakistan. 
  • For example, India’s submarine strength is approximately one-fourth that of China, and its shipbuilding capabilities have lagged, leading to significant delays in the commissioning of new warships. If India were to address these issues openly in its National Security Strategy (NSS), it could inadvertently expose its vulnerabilities, making it difficult to maintain a strategic advantage. This situation highlights the delicate balance India must strike: the need for transparency in defence assessments versus the risk of revealing weaknesses that could be exploited by adversaries. Such challenges complicate the formulation of an effective NSS that can address both domestic expectations and external security concerns.
• Domestic Political Considerations: India, like many other countries, faces increasing public demand for displays of strength, both militarily and diplomatically, especially in the age of social media where powerful images and narratives shape opinions. Historical events, such as India’s role in the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, are often cited as examples of this strength. However, it’s important to avoid overemphasizing achievements. For example, while India provided significant aid during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, exaggerated media coverage led to resentment in Nepal, where India’s help was seen as more humiliating than supportive. Moving forward, India must balance national pride with realism, ensuring that its actions do not harm diplomatic relations. This requires a sensitive approach that values cooperation and respect while recognizing the importance of projecting strength.

Key Components of India’s National Security Strategy (NSS)

• Economic Focus: A robust economy is fundamental to maintaining national sovereignty and security. It is vital to prioritise the allocation of limited resources, ensuring that funding and support decisions are strategic and informed. Recognizing that poorer nations often face restricted autonomy in international relations highlights the significant role that economic strength plays in shaping global dynamics. 
• Defence Strategy: Clearly identifying potential threats is crucial for effective security planning and response. Responsibilities must be systematically allocated among the various branches of the armed forces to ensure a coordinated and unified response to challenges. It is essential to recognize equipment needs and capability gaps, with a strong emphasis on addressing these shortcomings to enhance overall defence readiness. Focus areas, such as the enhancement of submarine and shipbuilding capabilities, are critical for reinforcing India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Foreign Policy Flexibility: Maintaining a degree of ambiguity in foreign policy enables India to adapt flexibly to changing global circumstances. Diplomatic manoeuvrability is key; for instance, had India fully committed to supporting democracies during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it could have compromised its current neutral stance. Balancing relationships with diverse global powers requires careful positioning and nuanced engagement in international conflicts.
• Values and Interests: Clearly defining India’s core values in international relations—such as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), securing sea lines of communication —is essential for fostering mutual respect and collaboration. Aligning national interests with strategic goals ensures coherence in policy-making and reinforces India’s role on the global stage.

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Conclusion

Creating a national security document is a pressing need. It’s not just about defense; it’s also connected to economic priorities, which would guide industries, financial institutions, and other sectors that drive the economy. Currently, these issues are addressed separately in various annual reports and surveys. The challenge is to bring everything together and set a clear direction for the country’s progress. This task should be handled carefully, with ministries and departments receiving specific instructions. The National Security Council Secretariat is well-suited for this job. 

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