India Needs a Comprehensive National Security Strategy

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India’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, economic ambitions, and growing security concerns necessitate a well-defined National Security Strategy (NSS). The nation is facing various challenges: changing alliances, border tensions with neighbors, and global economic uncertainty. A national security strategy would be crucial to integrate all aspects of defense, finance, diplomacy, and other sectors into a coherent framework, providing direction for India’s long-term security and development.

While many countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France, have documented national security strategies, India has yet to formalize a comprehensive NSS. Such a document is essential not only for defense but also for prioritizing resources, making economic decisions, and aligning with India’s multi-aligned foreign policy approach. However, drafting and implementing this document must be done discreetly to protect sensitive information and avoid exposing vulnerabilities.

What is a National Security Strategy?

A National Security Strategy (NSS) is a detailed framework that outlines a country’s security priorities and provides direction on how to achieve its strategic goals. It involves the identification of internal and external threats, allocation of resources, and cooperation across multiple sectors like defense, finance, foreign policy, and trade. The NSS establishes a roadmap for military preparedness, economic resilience, and diplomatic engagements, balancing both national and international priorities.

For instance, the United States’ National Security Strategy emphasizes maintaining global leadership, securing the homeland, and economic growth. Meanwhile, France issued its review in response to the Ukraine war, focusing on defense strategies and nuclear deterrence. These strategies serve as guides for governments to streamline their defense and foreign policy efforts in alignment with economic priorities.

In India’s context, an NSS should not only focus on military power but also cover economic stability, technological innovation, climate change, and energy security. These elements play a pivotal role in national security, as a weakened economy or energy shortage could severely impact defense capabilities and sovereignty.

India has made several attempts to formulate a National Security Strategy (NSS):

Kargil Review Committee (2000): After the Kargil conflict, the committee recommended security reforms but did not lead to a formal NSS.
Naresh Chandra Task Force (2012): This report addressed defense and intelligence reforms but also failed to result in an NSS.
National Security Advisory Board (NSAB): Draft NSS documents were presented to governments, but none were formally adopted.
Gen. D.S. Hooda’s Document (2019): His strategy document marked significant progress toward creating an NSS for India.

Why India Needs a National Security Strategy Now

India’s economic growth and security concerns make the need for an NSS more pressing than ever. The ambition to become a $4 trillion economy is facing strong headwinds, exacerbated by global conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. These challenges, along with an increasingly assertive China and Pakistan, make it crucial for India to have a clear, cohesive plan.

Here are some key reasons why India urgently needs a national security strategy:

Threat Assessment and Prioritization

India’s geographical position places it in a region surrounded by traditional and non-traditional threats. Border disputes with China and Pakistan, terrorism, cyber-attacks, and energy insecurity are all growing concerns. An NSS would provide a framework to prioritize threats, allocate resources accordingly, and ensure that the military and other sectors are prepared to address these threats efficiently.

For instance, India faces significant challenges on its eastern border with China, a global economic and military power. While India has developed partnerships through forums such as the Quad (Australia, Japan, India, and the U.S.) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the country cannot yet match China’s military capabilities on its own. A well-articulated NSS would help India better align its diplomatic and military strategies with other nations to ensure its security.

Economic Growth as a Security Imperative

A strong economy is the backbone of a country’s national security. Every sector, from healthcare to defense, depends on the economic strength of the nation. India’s goal of becoming a major economic player requires significant resources, which need to be balanced with other national priorities such as defense, technology development, and social welfare. A clear NSS would provide the necessary guidelines for resource allocation to support India’s growth and security simultaneously.

The budgeting process is key to this. Without a strategy, India’s defense budget may not reflect the nation’s security priorities effectively. A national security document would enable better planning for resource allocation, ensuring that the defense sector receives the necessary funding while keeping the economy strong.

Multi-Alignment Strategy

India’s foreign policy has shifted from the Non-Aligned Movement to multi-alignment, meaning it is forming strategic partnerships with multiple global powers without being bound to any particular alliance. This approach allows India to build alliances with countries such as the United States, Japan, Russia, and France, while also maintaining trade relations with China despite ongoing border tensions.

A national security strategy would outline how India can manage these diverse relationships while ensuring its security. For instance, BRICS serves as an economic forum where India collaborates with China, while the Quad allows India to align with nations that promote security in the Indo-Pacific region. A written document would help guide the balance between these seemingly contradictory alliances and provide a roadmap for future diplomacy.

Balancing Military and Economic Priorities

One of the key aspects of a national security strategy is determining how to balance military requirements with other priorities such as economic development and infrastructure. For example, India’s submarine and naval capabilities lag behind China’s. Investing in ship-building and submarine production would require significant resources, which could strain the economy without proper planning.

An NSS would ensure that India’s military investments are based on strategic necessity and long-term planning. By identifying key weaknesses, such as submarine capabilities or border defense, the strategy would allow India to focus its resources where they are most needed.

Why Transparency is a Double-Edged Sword

While other global powers often make their national security strategies public, India must tread carefully. Transparency in national security can be risky, particularly for a country like India, which is still catching up militarily to its rivals. Publicly revealing weaknesses or gaps in defense capabilities could embolden adversaries like China or Pakistan.

For this reason, India’s NSS should be developed and kept under wraps, as openly revealing defense priorities could compromise the country’s security. Aspects of the strategy could be shared with allied countries, but sensitive parts should remain confidential.

Recommendations of the Hooda Committee (2019)

The Hooda Committee recommended the following to enhance India’s National Security Strategy:

1. Global Affairs:

India should actively engage with major powers like the US, Russia, and China based on national interests.

Strengthen ties with the Middle East for energy, trade, and security.

2. Secure Neighborhood:

Improve relations with neighbors through soft power, trade, and connectivity.

Tackle Pakistan’s support for terror via diplomacy and economic pressure while managing China-India rivalry with focus on border security.

3. Internal Conflicts:

In Jammu & Kashmir, address radicalization and terrorism with political integration.

In the North East, focus on development and resolving insurgencies like the Naga conflict.

Combat Left-Wing Extremism by addressing tribal issues.

4. Strengthening Capabilities:

Secure borders, enhance defense R&D, and establish a Cyber Command to counter threats like climate change and cyber risks.

The Role of the National Security Council

India’s National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) could play a pivotal role in formulating and overseeing the implementation of the NSS. The NSCS has the capability to bring together various ministries—defense, finance, foreign affairs, and others— to create a comprehensive and unified security plan. The council’s role should include monitoring global trends, managing diplomatic relationships, and ensuring that the national security strategy is regularly updated.

Conclusion: A National Security Strategy is Essential

In conclusion, India’s national security concerns—ranging from border tensions to economic vulnerabilities—necessitate a comprehensive National Security Strategy. Such a document would bring together diverse sectors like defense, economy, diplomacy, and technology into a unified plan, ensuring that India is prepared for the future. While the document must remain secret to protect sensitive information, it is essential that India develops a strategy that addresses both internal and external threats while supporting its economic and diplomatic ambitions. Through careful planning and prioritization, India can create a security strategy that ensures its sovereignty and long-term success on the global stage.