Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Work starts on shaping first national security strategy, long wait ends” which was published in the Indian Express. India has set the ball rolling to bring out a National Security Strategy after years of discourse and deliberations within the military and the strategic community.
• The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is in the process of collating inputs from various Central ministries and departments to draft the strategy.

What is the National Security Strategy (NSS)?

• A national security strategy would guide the military as well as critical defense and security reforms with strategic implications, providing a holistic view of the overall national security, the threats, and the roadmap to address them.

Why National Security Strategy is needed?

• India requires a National Security Strategy for military modernization.
• Addressing the two-front threat posed by China and Pakistan is essential.
• Regional instability includes challenges from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
• A comprehensive framework encompassing diplomacy, strategy, and deterrence is necessary.
• Countering information warfare, involving nation-states and non-state actors, is crucial.
• Developing a complex cyber-security system is vital to prevent large-scale damage.

What are the challenges in the National Security Strategy?

• Balancing Transparency, Deterrence, and Flexibility: As per experts, India’s hesitancy to release a National Security Strategy document would cause trouble with potential adversaries by revealing India’s position, and with partners by hurting strategic flexibility.
• Revealing  India’s Strategic Ambiguity: India shied from defining an NSS as the government wanted to avoid having to respond in a specific manner.
• Impacting Bilateral Ties: If India were to state that it aimed to reduce its dependence on military imports from Russia as part of NSS, this would hurt India’s relationship with Russia. 
• Differing Views: Besides, framing a security doctrine may also be difficult considering the differing views held by various government departments.

Way Forward

• National Security Strategy Guidance: For Military-Related External Threats 
  • Maintain credible military deterrence against potential adversaries. 
  • Defend our national and territorial interests on land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
  • Physical guarding and/or surveillance of all regions, especially disputed borders. 
  • Maintain a tri-service rapid response capability to respond during war and peace. 
  • Ensure a well-coordinated intelligence mechanism to provide early warning of threats. 
  • Prevent attacks in the cyber and information domains.
• National Security Strategy Guidance: For Internal Security Threats
  • Maintain close surveillance and monitoring of the internal security. 
  • Maintain rapid response capability against terror strikes/hostage-taking, involving multiple security agencies.
  • Neutralize anti-Indian efforts/propaganda by potential adversaries. 
  • Promote/protect diaspora interests in the region and the world.
  • Protect national interests against internal threats like terrorism, insurgency, and militancy to negate secessionist and related destabilizing efforts.

Also Read: Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023

Conclusion:

The formulation of India’s National Security Strategy is crucial for addressing external and internal threats, though challenges of transparency and differing views need careful consideration, emphasizing the importance of a well-coordinated, comprehensive approach for safeguarding the nation’s interests.