Redefining NSA will factor in nuclear command role

Details are being worked out on the critical role of the National Security Advisor in the Nuclear Command Authority.

As outgoing National Security Advisor M K Narayanan plans to wind up his task here in time to attend the Republic Day function in Kolkata,details are being worked out on the work profile of his successor keeping in mind the critical role of the NSA in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

While it is almost certain that former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon will take over from Narayanan,there are divergent views on the kind of role the NSA will perform. Sources said one view is that the NSA should only have a diplomatic role and,if need be,even the description could be different.

This logic flows from the fact that many of the agencies which came under Narayanan would now report to the Home Minister. However,matters get complicated on two counts.

One,the need for coordination among agencies and strategic forces besides the Department of Atomic Energy in taking decisions relating to the NCA as the Executive Council is currently headed by the NSA. And,two,the issue of delinking intelligence agencies from the PMO for the first time.

Its learnt that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is not very keen to drastically change the profile of the NSA largely because he is the critical link between the NCA and the PM. But the quandary for the government is that if the Home Minister is to be fully accountable on internal security,then intelligence agencies must report to him. For this purpose,the suggestion from certain quarters is to have a diplomatic advisor instead of a NSA.

In this backdrop,efforts are underway within the political leadership to work out a suitable profile for the next NSA. While this happens,sources said,Narayanan is keen to transfer charge by January 24 so that he can be in Kolkata for the Republic Day to perform his important ceremonial role.

Regardless of the description the government may choose for Narayanans successor,sources said it is clear that the focus will be predominantly on diplomacy. With Singh keen to make bold foreign policy moves on Pakistan,a top diplomat like Menon may not have intelligence agencies on the priority list.

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At the same time,the need to coordinate foreign and security policy lies at the heart of the NSA concept. One answer would be to reconfigure the National Security Council Secretariat with adequate representation from all related agencies and to similarly reflect it in the appointment of Deputy NSAs.

A broad decision on this will have to be taken this week and,according to reliable sources,the PM is not keen to disturb the NCA structure for the moment. But innovations could be found in the days ahead to ensure the Home Ministry is strengthened on dealing with internal security.