Can the NSC perceive a strategic doctrine?

Promptitude with which the BJP govt went about constituting the National Security Council (NSC) is indeed commendable, notwithstanding th...

Promptitude with which the BJP govt went about constituting the National Security Council (NSC) is indeed commendable, notwithstanding the multi-layered cramped bureaucratic apparatus it managed to produce. The good thing is that it happened at least.

The top echelon comprising the Prime Minister, ministers for finance, home external affairs, defence and the deputy chairman Planning Commission is no different from the existing CCPA which is too busy to go into the intricacies of national security issues. The people represented on it is itself an issue. Some are too old, others outdated to be in tune with the needs of time. National security demands an integrated and holistic view, with no place for adhocism. It is all pervasive and encompasses much more than mere defence, economic and political aspects. However it’s major task pertains to defence and defence related issues. Such talked about strategic defence review would be one of it’s first priorities. No wonder the task force comprised people with defence background and defence orientation. The bureaucrats were noticeably absent from its composition.

It’s noteworthy that the Chiefs in their capacity as SPG members stand far removed from the political hierarchy of the nation. Their advise on matters of national security would invariably get diluted if not convoluted altogether. By the time their professional advice laced with bureaucratic wisdom reaches the political bosses through a series of tiers, it may not create the same impact. Their voices would stand stifled amongst the multitude of non-specialist secretaries. Only if the NSC was constituted as visualised by the task force, it would have drawn less flak. NSC was to be a part of the government with a cabinet minister on top answerable to the parliament. But the insatiable desire of the bureaucracy to reign supreme in every field of government activity overturned the wise counsel of the task force. A military man, chairman joint chiefs to staff is a principal advisor to the president of America, on all defence aspects of national security.

All proposals on national security emanate from him only and filtered through the defence division of NSC to the president. It’s not much different in other countries too. But the Government of India has strange ways of addressing the nation’s problems. It somehow manages to stray away from it’s objectives when it comes to pragmatism. BJP aroused great expectations but disappointed most if not all for lack of innovation and surrender to the generalists..