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| December 2009 Issue |
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Ring in the New
India needs a fresh approach towards national security
By Pravin Sawhney |
As 2009 comes to a close, India’s national security appears extremely vulnerable; high on symbolism as evinced in the numerous television talk-shows to mark the first anniversary of 26/11, and low on substance. Across the spectrum, from the need for strategic deterrence, to capabilities for securing the borders, to protecting the homeland itself, the political leadership has come a cropper. Showing up on numerous television channels, the Union home minister, P. Chidambaram, declared that war (with Pakistan) was not an option; sending the clear signal to 26/11 crafters to carry on regardless. This when, he and the National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan had already conceded that they constantly worried about another terrorist attack on mainland Indian soil.
We learnt this year that India’s thermo-nuclear capability lacks assurance, and given the fact that we have decided not to have tactical nuclear weapons, our range of nuclear warhead capabilities are frighteningly low. Regarding the vector, the Agni-II missile fired at night lost its way, the Agni-III is far from operational, and the Agni-IV is still being developed. Given the capabilities of our two adversaries, the use of aircraft as the nuclear delivery vehicle would be stupid. The sea-based deterrence is still years away. |
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