Opinion Time to tackle threats that go beyond the traditional

NTS threats do not directly threaten the sovereignty of a state but have debilitating effects on the society,public institutions and economy of peoples on a national or transnational scale. Being political,economic,societal and environmental in nature,some have worldwide ramifications like food security,global warming,cybersecurity,piracy and financial instability in world markets; the financial tsunami caused by the downgradation of the US by just one rating agency was a pointer to the power of an NTS threat. These threats,if not addressed in time and in adequate measure,could affect a state’s stability and security. However,as no loss of territory and thus of prestige is involved,they do not arouse the same trepidation. States,thus,are reluctant to accord due importance to the NTS menace or to commit adequate resources to confront it.

India and its neighbourhood in South and Southeast Asia are inherently more vulnerable to NTS threats due to its high population density,slow development,poor health and sanitation facilities,and low literacy levels. Due to these reasons,there are some that afflict us more — HIV/AIDS,human migration,drug trafficking and terrorism. Though some attempts have been made to secure these human security issues to gain greater visibility,acceptance and financial support,a lot more needs to be done.

Security dialogues bring with them the issue of the relative importance accorded to the two types of security — state and human. As democratic forces strengthen and human rights issues gain ascendancy in theoretical studies and intellectual debates,the legitimacy of nations that do not adequately address human security concerns has come into sharp focus. There is even a school of thought that questions the right of such states to exercise sovereignty over their populace just because they have territorial possession. Do we see footprints of such thinking in the assertive UN Security Council resolutions and events in Egypt,Libya and Syria?

With its avowed policy of propagating peace,India has played an important role in aiding traditional security; our soldiers and airmen have brought us laurels in peacekeeping operations world wide. It is time that NTS threats,which actually concern the Indian nation intimately,get their due in debates,discussions and action programmes. Our economic progress,advancements in science,technology and the manufacturing sector,and the economic leverage earned courtesy our huge educated middle class,should not be held hostage to societal consequences born out of NTS dangers. While the global commons concern us all,we as a nation need to give due importance to NTS dangers lurking closer and within our own boundaries.

NTS threats know no borders; they have transnational security implications. A time may come when the United Nations,through its various bodies and including the Security Council,may be forced to act if inaction or insufficient actions of recalcitrant governments start affecting the security and well-being of a larger part of humanity. The resultant measures need not be military-centric,but may use coercive sanctions as tools. India is now a non-permanent member of the Security Council after a long hiatus. Tackling NTS threats on a global scale would be a leadership setting fraught with openings that our nation,staking a claim for a place on the high table of the world body,should address aggressively.

The writer,an air vice marshal,is the assistant chief of the integrated defence staff. The views expressed here are personal