Objective : TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF EVERY INDIAN
The response of successive governments in the past, to the vital subject of national security, has mostly been stereotypical, reactive and unbecoming of a country which is a regional pivot and a potential global influencer.
National security in the true sense encompasses all facets of securing our nation. That is why, in our National Security Manifesto, we have factored in the implications of potential disputes over energy, water and environment, as these can also cause indigenous armed conflicts. “Comprehensive Security” is therefore our watchword here.
Our National Security Manifesto comprises both, External and Internal Security challenges which address most concerns of the citizens of India.
MEASURES TO ENHANCE EXTERNAL SECURITY
Create national consensus to commit at least 3% of GDP to meet the geo-political realities of a nuclearised neighborhood.
Initiate a national debate to obtain time bound consensus to :
- Integrate operations of our Defence Services
- Integrate military and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence
- Introduce theatre commands based on the experience gained by Joint Service Commands of Andaman & Nicobar and Strategic Forces
- Expedite the creation of Joint Aero-Space Command
- Create a national Institute of Cyber Warfare
- Minimize the use of armed forces to quell internal strife
- Ensure that funds allocated for modernization of forces are not surrendered year after year
- Given the youthful profile of retiring officers and men, ensure post-retirement employment options in both public and private sectors
- Provide financial assistance to retiring defence personnel to set up Small and Medium Enterprises
- Given the shortage of quality man power in the armed forces, review and rationalize induction, recruitment and selection procedures to keep pace with the aspirations and capabilities of the youth of the country
- Increase the budgetary allocation to defence R&D, promote private sector participation and restructure DRDO to focus only on future and core cutting edge technologies
MEASURES TO ENHANCE INTERNAL SECURITY
Our internal security challenges have multiplied due to many factors including regional imbalances in development, poor literacy and lack of employment opportunities. Poor governance and unenlightened leadership must have also aggravated the scourge of terrorism.
Solutions lie in the following :
- Modernize police forces in all states of India on a war footing
- Implement police reforms recommended by the National Police Commission
- Consolidate, integrate and modernize all border security agencies, and debate placing them under one head.
- Consolidate, modernize and centralize paramilitary and central police forces with emphasis on rapid deployment and appropriate fire power
- Create common training facilities with mid career updates to police and paramilitary forces; using the exceptional standards of training in our military institutions as a benchmark
- Use Indian space technology and applications to improve surveillance, limit the porosity of land and maritime borders to protect the lives of people in remote and sensitive border areas
- Quickly modernize weapons and equipment of the police forces
- Operationalise intelligence sharing on a real time basis with specially established automated structures for expeditious dissemination of actionable inputs.