National security

The national security environment in India is determined by its geographical attributes, socio-economic milieu as well as by regional and global developments.

India is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of area, second most populous country, the third largest economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and one of the oldest civilizations with unparalleled cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity. India shares its land boundaries with six countries while it shares its maritime boundaries with seven countries. It is in this context that we should understand the national security challenges that India faces in the 21^st Century.

The national security challenges can be broadly categorised as internal challenges and external challenges, both of which are closely and intricately intertwined.

The internal challenges include the growing radicalization in our society, separatist movements, insurgencies, communalism and Maoist violence.

We have centuries old rich cultural ethos that is rooted in strong democratic principles, which eschews violence in all its forms. However, there are certain misguided elements, who continue to use violence as an instrument to achieve political goals. No matter what the grievances are of disgruntled people or sections of people, there are ways and means to resolve all issues lawfully and peacefully within our constitutional scheme.

Having said that, I would like to point out that of immediate concern to all of us on the internal security front is the growing radicalization in our society. This has roots in a distorted view of religion and ethnic identity.

We have witnessed this phenomenon in the unending spiral of violence in different parts of our country including the Kashmir valley, in the insurgent movements in the north-eastern region and the Left Wing Extremism affected areas in the hinterland. The efforts made by the government have helped to contain the situation in Kashmir. There also has been a significant decline in the incidents of violence by Maoists and the north-east is largely peaceful. The historic peace treaty with the Naga rebels NSCN-IM was one of the successful initiatives and shows how long-festering political issues can be resolved peacefully to the advantage of all.

Friends, as you know India is now the fastest growing major economy in the world. India needs to grow faster to provide basic means of livelihood and decent opportunities to all its citizens.  The need of the hour is to ensure that India remains peaceful so that the process of all round development continues unhindered. We must be eternally vigilant against forces which are inimical to India and want to derail the country’s onward march.

In this century wars are not fought in the battlefield alone; they are fought on all fronts including the economic front. Economic warfare is one of the most potent tools to undermine the peace and security of a nation and damage caused by it is immense.

With regard to the external threats faced by the country, our neighbourhood remains the biggest challenge for our national security. The cross-border terrorism through both state and non-state actors has claimed thousands of innocent lives over the last three decades. One of our neighbouring countries continues to aid and abet acts of terrorism in India and for a long time has been trying to damage the monetary stability and economic security of India, through the production, smuggling and circulation of counterfeit Indian currency notes.

The National Investigation Agency, in its investigations in the Pathankot, Uri and Handwara terrorist attack cases and in a number of counterfeit Indian currency notes cases has conclusively proved the role of the neighbouring country in orchestrating the attacks and producing and circulating the counterfeit currency. I congratulate the NIA for its thorough and professional investigation, which has exposed the machinations of various terrorist groups.

The dynamics of international terrorism have changed with certain groups using cyber communication to spread their ideology. This has led to a completely new era in terrorism world over, the phenomena of Foreign Terrorist Fighters or the FTF and Lone Wolf Attacks taking place in many parts of the world like never before.

The attacks in France, Belgium, UK and in Bangladesh to name a few made us realise that in the age of internet or cyber communication, national boundaries are no barriers for terrorists to propagate, recruit, plan and carry out attacks anywhere and at any place. I am told that the NIA has registered and investigated cases in which a number intricate conspiracies hatched in cyberspace were busted and a number of potential terrorists, both within and beyond India, were arrested.

The cyber revolution while bringing immense benefits has also created certain vulnerabilities and risks. The cyberspace transcends national boundaries. Hence, it is extremely difficult to exercise effective jurisdictional control over the same.

The proliferation of internet-based social media platforms and communication tools by terrorist outfits for planning and execution of terrorist incidents has further exacerbated the situation.

With Internet Service Providers operating trans-nationally across multiple jurisdictions, the only effective way to tackle globally active terrorist individuals and outfits is through international cooperation. This can be done by developing uniform standards and norms for Internet Service Providers and technology companies and with nation states facilitating information sharing to fight against terrorism. Surveillance, intelligence gathering and adequate pre-emptive and preventive measures by security agencies at a global level are required.

The United Nations has from time to time adopted various resolutions to combat global terrorism in all its formats. However, despite being members of the UN some member states continue to flout these resolutions by nurturing and providing support to terrorist organisations. It is time for the global community to take note of the situation and act against such errant member states.

No terrorist organization can function without finances. Terrorist finance is the oxygen on which terrorist activities thrive. Painstaking investigation in the past, in India and other countries, has provided useful breakthroughs and resulted into disruption of terrorist cells.

The recent investigations by the NIA in tracing and tracking the funding of the separatist groups and leaders have successfully disrupted the supply of funds to the separatist groups. This has led to a significant decrease in the incidents of terrorism as well as decline in the subversive activities being carried out by the separatists. I hope that the NIA would continue to focus on all the aspects of financing of terrorism and effectively disrupt the channels and networks of funding to the terrorist organizations.  

Today, global terrorism is the biggest threat as internationally active terrorist groups aspire to destroy the democratic world order by using all forms of violence. These terrorist groups do not believe in equality and justice and would adopt all means propagate, advance and impose their ideologies, which are antithetical to democratic values.

Considering the various dimensions of terrorism in India and the world as it exists today, it is extremely important to build capacities, impart training, upgrade skills and provide technological expertise to security forces and law enforcement agencies. Positive engagement with our foreign partners is necessary when it comes to fighting the scourge of global terrorism. Terrorists round the world are collaborating and adopting technology to carry out their nefarious activities surreptitiously. Therefore, it is incumbent upon law enforcement agenciesand security agencies all over the world to collaborate with each other to defeat international terrorism.

For decades, India has fought the scourge of terrorism with fortitude and firm resolve. The success of India and its security forces in bringing peace to the states of North-East, Punjab, containing the situation in Kashmir and parts of the hinterland affected with Left Wing Extremism, speaks volumes of the deft handling of the situation by our security forces and agencies. We have made numerous sacrifices in our fight against terrorism and we will continue with steely determination to take on all forces inimical toward the security and integrity of India. As the largest democracy in the world, it is our duty to support the international community and collaborate with friendly countries to fight the menace of terrorism.

Lastly, a robust and strong legal framework against terrorism enforced by institutions with all the required infrastructure and human resources is a sine qua non for providing a befitting response to terrorism. Recognizing the same, the domestic legal framework against terrorism in India has been strengthened from time to time.

The government is in the process of making further amendments to the ant-terror laws to empower law enforcement agencies to not only ensure effective investigation in terrorism cases but also have fruitful prosecution to meet the ends of justice.

At the end, I once again congratulate the officers and personnel of the NIA on the occasion of NIA Day and hope that they will continue their good work and achieve greater success, in their endeavor to unearth terrorist conspiracies, apprehend the guilty, who are responsible for death and destruction, and bring them to justice and ensure peace and prosperity in the country.

A great nation cannot abandon its responsibilities. Responsibilities abandoned today return as more acute crises tomorrow

A great nation cannot abandon its responsibilities. Responsibilities abandoned today return as more acute crises tomorrow

Time has come to make a commitment to build   a strong nation with universal image. It can be done with the active participation of youth only. Any nation can achieve and fulfill her aspirations and dreams with the holistic and empathetic contribution of youth. History of every nation is witness to numerous revolutions and socio- economic and politico-administrative changes as well as the inventions for better human life, initiated and accomplished by youth.

The term ‘nation’ is being used for a sovereign state or a country has many other emotional and invisible notions. Nation building is a process which make states, their governments, legitimate its authority and ensures national identity. The countries like India which has been under  the colonial rule on one hand , and socio- culturally and geo-politically  heterogeneous on another hand needs more structured efforts for nation building. Nation building is not a process of few years, in fact, it requires decades and sometimes centuries. Similarly, it is not a task of one or few segments of a society rather it involves each citizen and every class at all stages. Undoubtedly, youth can play more effective and reliable role in the process of nation building by virtue of his physical and psychological powers. That is why Benjamin Disraeli says- “The Youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity”.National Youth Policy, 2014

India formulated its first national youth policy in 1985 and created a separate Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the same year. The first national youth policy was replaced by a new policy in 2003. A fresh national youth policy was adopted in 2014 under the worldwide circumstances of globalization and information, communication and technology revolution.The vision of the National Youth Policy, 2014 is- “to empower youth to achieve their full potential, and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.” The Government of India believes that the youth should be ‘active drivers’ and not merely the ‘passive recipients’ of development. National Youth Policy, 2014 envisages following core and sub- areas for the holistic development of Indian youth-A. Create a productive workforce* Education*Entrepreneurship*Employment and skill  developmentB. Develop a strong and healthy generation*Health and healthy lifestyle* SportsC. Instil social values and promote community service*Promotion of social values*Community engagementD. Facilitate participation and civic engagement*Participation in politics and governance*Youth engagementE. Support youth at risk and create equitable opportunity for all*Inclusion* Social justice.

The above mentioned 11 priority areas for youth enrichment are directly related with human resource development which ensures a strong nation with international brand image. Recent policies, programmes and schemes of Government of India including Skill India, Digital India National integration through art, culture and sportsUnity in diversity is the basic character of Indian civilization and culture since the ages. Similarly, one can easily smell the rich and tempting folk art, folk music, indigenous culture, incredible spiritual power, social and human values and independent village life.  Interestingly, art, culture, sports and spiritualism had a unique place in overall development of human beings in Indian society. 

Indian Railways and Indian Armed Forces have played a very significant role in national integration and feeling of one nation.  Hockey, Hindi cinema, All India Radio ( Akashvani),  Doordarshan and Cricket etc.  have done this task up to a great extent in recent decades. The youth players hailing from small towns and remote villages are changing the face and fate of Indian games and sports sector at international level successfully. Achievements, recognition and a reliable image ultimately help in nation building. Since the activities of sports essentially require vigour, energy, enthusiasm and courage, hence these are concerned with youth.

The extra- curricular activities of students including Games, Scouting and Guiding,   Nehru Yuva Kendra, NCC and NSS as well as Youth Festivals etc. are the platform for cultural and academic interaction with youth coming from different states of the country.Fundamental Duties and YouthAfter the recommendations of Sardar Swarn Singh Committee and through the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India, a new Article -51 A , was inserted in the constitution of India in 1976.  Originally 10 Fundamental Duties were given to the citizens. This constitutional provision says that-It shall be the duty of every citizen of India -( a)  to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;( b )  to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;( c)  to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;( d ) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;( e ) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;( f ) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;( g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;( i ) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;( j ) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement;In the year 2002, a new fundamental duty was inserted in the Constitution through the  86th Constitutional Amendment,  the following was added as the 11th Duty of  the Indian citizens-(k)- Parent or   guardian to  provide the opportunity of education to his child or ,  as the case may  be  ward  between the age of six years and fourteenth years.These fundamental duties are directly affecting the process of nation building, national integration, democratization of administration, good governance, sustainable development and a just and knowledge society. Educated and committed youth can ensure effective implementation of these fundamental duties. 

Scientific Temperament and YouthAs mentioned above, developing a scientific temper is a fundamental duty of every citizen of India. India also celebrates National Science Day  on February 28 every year (the day is dedicated to Nobel Prize Winner Sir C.V. Raman’s discovery of ‘Raman Effect’ on 28 February, 1928) to foster scientific temper among society in general and youth in particular. It is widely assumed and accepted that scientific temper is a way of life of an individual and society which uses a scientific method that includes questioning, observing physical reality, testing, hypothesizing, analyzing and communicating the facts and things in a systematic manner. It essentially involves the application of logic. Arguments, discussions and analysis are the vital parts of a scientific temper and fairness, equality and democracy are its elements. Mushroom growth of so called religious and fraud Babas, communal riots, ethnic violence, greater trust on quakes (road-side doctors) etc. are few examples of unscientific society of educated people.

The waves of globalization, ups and downs in stock markets, economic slow-down, increasing threats and violence by extremists and terrorists, frequent natural and man-made disasters and attraction towards luxurious life has forced man to approach astrologers. The pages of history of human civilization and culture prove that no revolution or great change was taken place without the active participation of youth. So, the need of the hour is to sensitize youth towards developing scientific temper and the reasons for this exercise are very obvious. Firstly, youth is change-lover and open –minded and every reform starts with the notion that change is inevitable. Acceptance is the opposite of rejection or resistance. Secondly, today’s youth is tomorrow’s responsible parent and citizen supposed to play various other crucial roles in the society. Thirdly, youth has the energy, zeal and aspiration to transform a good, just and logical society. Fourthly, youth has always been very near to technology and every technology essentially proves the utility of scientific temperament.  In fact, good governance is highly relying upon a good and scientific society. George Bernard Shaw says- “It is all that the young can do for the old, to shock them and keep them up to date”.

Challenges and ImpedimentsFamous scholar of Public Administration   Fred W. Riggs has described developing society as ‘sala model’ which is mainly characterized by formalism, heterogeneity and overlapping of tasks and structures. Indian transitional society is also suffering from barriers and taboos of religion, language, region, caste, class, sex and other socio-economic issues. Regional imbalance is a grave matter for policy makers.   ‘The Indian Youth Development Index and Report-2017’ (released on November 13, 2017) reveals that still there is a wide gap between various human development indicators amongst the states of India.  It is generally believed and experienced that Indians always prove themselves as the best policy, plan and law makers, however when it comes the execution part they  face  the ‘Achilles’heel’ situation. If we look at the progress of science and technology field in the country it is far beyond our imagination while the social sector is still neglected.If we want to ensure the proactive and effective role of youth in nation building, the following challenges must be addressed primarily-1.        Over population and high growth rate.2.        Unemployment and less employability of educated youth.3.        Unscientific temperament and decreasing common sense.4.        Ethnicity.5.        Gender discrimination.6.        Communal and religious issues.7.        Regional and socio-economic imbalance.8.        Poverty and left extremism.9.        Poor health and low immunity.10.Drug addiction (including social media addiction).

Can you believe that about 2700 youth lost their lives per year in India while taking ‘ selfies’ or crossing roads or railway lines during cell phone interactions. It is highest rate in the world. There is huge list of diseases occurred due to constant use of cell phone, desktop or laptop for online chatting. Use of social media and being online has destructed health, daily routine, relationships, creativity, discipline, and writing- reading habits of youth. They are just becoming unaware of bitter and actual aspects of human life.

Whenever, we think about the power and potentials of Indian youth we always recall    Swami Vivekanand for his contribution in building the international image of India as well as oxygening the hopeless Indian society in late nineteenth century. He said- “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youth of my country.. …….All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak; Stand up and express the divinity within you. Therefore, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”