Former Principal Secy NN Vohra underlines need for national security policy in new volume

Former Indian Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash says that India, among other major powers, has suffered from having no institutional process which generates defence reviews, policy white papers and national security strategies. He adds that the surgical strikes on terror camps inside Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in 2016 and the Balakot air strikes in 2019 were apt moments for India to issue a security doctrine, since it would have signalled that border transgressions will invite retribution. The absence of a national security strategy, according to him, has been seen as a lack of resolve on India’s part, encouraging adventurism by Pakistan and China.

Former Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda makes a pertinent point on adopting a deterrence strategy for India, which hinges on the potential use of military force. He says a deterrence strategy should make India’s national interest and “national red lines” clear, adding that hesitation in articulating a national security strategy should be shed.

India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, late General Bipin Rawat, highlights the need for bringing in jointness between the armed forces and creating theatre commands, narrating how the services together fought the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He also speaks on the pressing requirement to modernise the military to prepare them for cyberattacks and space technologies.