Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta
The “Decade of Decay” is thankfully over and a new era of hope and change has dawned on India. After depressing last couple of years, smile has reappeared on the faces of majority of 1.2 billion hopeful Indians. The Modi Government has got its task cut and it has to deliver as promised on all fronts- economy, governance, diplomacy, foreign policy, security and border safety. Early indicators like allocation of portfolios, invitation to SAARC heads for the swearing in ceremony, appointment of National Security Advisor(NSA) and FDI in Defence sector are positive and reflect the focussed approach of the new Government. The new Government appears to be determined to tackle head on the many critical and urgent challenges facing the nation. Security both external and internal, needs immediate attention of the Government because a secure environment is mandatory for addressing all other challenges.
Internal Security Challenges
Doval’s appointment as NSA is indicative of Moldi’s resolve for strong internal security mechanism. Famous American General Douglas MacArthur had once said, ” I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of insidious forces working from within.” It is to some extent true for our great Nation as well. Nation’s internal health is in a precaurious state. With left wing extremism dominating the ‘Red Corridor’ in the heart land, proxy war in J&K, ISI’s desperate attempt to revive militancy in Punjab, outfits like SIMI raising their ugly head in many states including South, insurgency in the North-East, increasing sectarian violence and rise in crime against helpless women; a very strong and effective dose is needed to bring it back to rail. Thus, separatism, counter terrorism, counter insurgency and law and order are the main internal security challenges confronting the new Government.
Separatism
The Maoist insurgency or left wing extremism is spread over 40% of the country encompassing 223 out of a total of 640 districts. This also is the mineral rich belt of the country. The state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are battling the Maoists for the last forty years but to no avail. The avowed aim of the Maoists is the armed overthrow of the Indian State and the creation of a socialist-communist government. The Maoists term it as a ‘Democratic Revolution’ directed against imperialism, capitalism and feudalism. The successive UPA governments failed to enunciate a clear and well coordinated response to the secessionist threat to the nation. The new Government should adopt a three pronged appraoch,ie, elimination of armed groups, winning hearts and minds of the populace through civic action programmes and planned development of the affected districts. Simultaneously, efforts should be made to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table.
Counter Terrorism
The withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan, release of five hard core terrorists by Obama and ISI’s continued anti-India policy make counter terrorism a big challenge for the new government. Increased violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, frequent cease fire violations and inflitration attempts demand a very strong and robust counter terrorism mechanism. Pakistan needs to be told in no uncertain terms that India would no longer condone the use of Pak territory or territory under its control to be used for terrorist attacks on Indian soil or our interests abroad. India’s perception as a ‘soft’ state would have to be changed. Our response to acts of terror anywhere would have to be punitive and graded.
Counter Insurgency
Insurgencies in the North East also need to be tackled in the similar manner as the Left Wing Extremism. However, local issues like inter tribal rivalry, illegal migration, Naga nationalism and covert Chinese support would also have to be factored in. Poor governance and political patronage are the other factors that have fuelled insurgency in the North East. An efficient intellegce mechanism provides oxygen to counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations. The intellegence apparatus needs to be modernised and technologically upgraded. We should possess the capability to preempt a terrorist attack. Forewarned is forearmed. The agencies like NIA, DIA, RAW and IB need to be made more professional and provided with more teeth. The use of technology needs to be maximised to acquire, assess, analyse, synthesise and disseminate real time information down to operational level.
External Security Challenges
By inviting the heads of all SAARC nations to the swearing ceremony of the new Council of Ministers, the Modi government has reaffirmed its faith in our national policy of “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”. A nation can choose its friends but not its neighbours. India is bordered by two hostile neighbours with outstanding disputes. Incidentally India and both her hostile neighbours are in possession of nuclear weapons. With a nuclear back drop, the possibilty of an all out war is minimised. However, India must prepare militarily to fight a two front war in case China and Pakistan collude. Presently, we do not have this capability and this is a big challenge for the new Government. The threat of a limited war or localised war like Sumdrong Chu or Kargil is a possibility that can not be wished away. To ward off these threats from the hostile neighbours, the new government would have to address on priority the issue of operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces. Apart from new acquisitions for modernisation, there is a need for; making up existing deficiencies of critical equipment, minimising the off road state of warfighting equipment, maximising night fighting capability, preparedness to operate in a NBC environment, procurement of critical spares and indigenisation of the defence industry. There should be no delay in raising and equipping of the Mountain Strike Corps. Our Special Forces must be integrated and provided with the state of the art wherewithal and develop capability to operate in hostile /enemy territotry. The yawning gap in our air defence capability due to obsolete equipment and weaponry needs immediate remedial measure. The fighting strength of the air force needs to be made up with by fly by wire multi role aircraft. While we should strive for parity with China, we should continue to maintain our conventional edge over Pakistan. Our submarine fleet is also crying for modernisation.
Maritime Security
Apart from the threat from China and Pakistan along our land frontiers, we also have to strengthen our maritime security including protection of our island territories. Though India wants to remain neutral in the ‘new great game’ between China and America in the Asia-Pacific region, it can not afford to remain a mute spectator to whats happening in her area of interest. India also needs to safeguard her sea lanes of communication and maritime interests in the South China Sea while countering the growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean. To counter the growing Chinese influence and decline in American power many nations like Japan, Phillipines, Vietnam and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) are looking towards India for help. “India’s strategic foot print covers the region bounded by the Horn of Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, South-East Asia and beyond to the far reaches of the Indian Ocean,” said former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh while describing India’s strategic frontiers. Conversely, Indian Armed Forces must be capable of safeguarding nation’s security concerns in these areas far away from the main land. We need to develop “Out Of Area” operations capability by raising rapid deployment forces equipped with light and air portable support weapon systems as well as have a strong blue water navy backed with amphibious capability, a nuclear powered submarine fleet, long range drones and stealth fighters. The formation of National Maritime Mission by the new Government is a step in the right direction.
Cyber and Digital Security
Both China and Pakistan have developed advanced hacking capabilites. We therefore need to develop capabilities to provide freedom for unhindered use of cyber space by the military and for e governance and at the same time deny its use to our adversaries before or during the conflict. Cyber and digital security is another challenge before the new government.
Conclusion
The time for homilies is over. Now the new Government has to get down to the serious business of governance and work diligently towards achievement of the pronounced goal ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. To facilitate this, a trouble free hinterland and safe and secure borders are required. Security of the nation is a prerequisite for economic development- overarching strategic goal of the Modi Government. “Of all the gifts that a King can give, it is not the gift of land nor the gift of cows which is important, but the gift of Security”- Panchtantra.
( The author is a retired Brigadier, political commentator, security and strategic analyst)
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