Internal security challenges

The NDA government has arrived at the scene once again.

- DR. RAVI PRAKASH TIWARI

India has an influential power internationally, which it probably has never wielded since Independence. Our economy is on an upswing. That it can no longer bulldoze India and, beyond a point, and India would not hesitate from a bloody retaliation has been realised for the first time by China. The government must have a well-orchestrated strategy for the next five years. The following nine points should merit grave contemplation on internal security.

ONE, INTERNAL SECURITY MINISTRY.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has become over bloated and cumbersome. Internal security issues calling for prompt actions, quite often do not get the swift and meticulous attention they deserve. It is imperative that a young, junior minister working in the MHA is assigned an independent charge of internal security. What an impact such an arrangement can make was shown by Rajesh Pilot.

TWO, A DOCTRINE ON INTERNAL SECURITY.

There is too much adhocism in dealing with internal security challenges, especially with a change in government. Ideally, the nation must adopt a national security doctrine (NSD). From time to time the National Security Advisory Board has dealt with it and formulated drafts which were never approved. All recognized powers possess an NSD through which they depict the internal and external threats confronting the country and implement strategies for neutralising them. If there are any hindrances in adopting the NSD, its internal security component at least, which is simpler, could be implemented.

THREE, THE NORTHEAST.