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In
the emerging global environment, India has adopted a more
comprehensive approach to security encompassing economic
strength, internal cohesion and technological progress.
However, given the security challenges confronting the
country, India will need to maintain a desired level of
military strength and preparedness to deter any aggression and
to enable India to contribute positively to the promotion of
peace and stability in the region.
India’s
national security objectives are served by :
Defending the country’s borders as defined by law and
enshrined in the Constitution and protecting the lives and
property of its citizens against terrorism and insurgencies.
Maintaining a credible minimum deterrent against the use or
the threat of use of weapons of mass destruction against
India. The determination of the profit of this deterrent,
including accurate and refined delivery systems, is a
sovereign responsibility.
Securing the country against restrictions on the transfer of
material, equipment and technologies that have a bearing on
India’s security, particularly its defence preparedness.
This involves a greater emphasis on indigenous research,
development and production to meet the nation’s
requirements.
Promoting further co-operation and understanding with
neighbouring countries and implementing mutually agreed
confidence-building measures.
Working with countries of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) to
address key challenges before the international community and
engaging in co-operative security initiatives such as the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Pursuing security and strategic dialogue with major powers and
key partners; and
Following a consistent and principled policy on disarmament
and international security issues based on the principles of
supreme national interest, universality, non-discrimination
and equal security for all.
India’s
parameters of security clearly extend well beyond the confines
of its conventional geographical land borders. Given its size,
location, trade links and extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
India’s security environment extends from the Persian Gulf
in the west to the Straits of Malacca in the east, and from
the Central Asian Republics in the north to the Equator in the
south. India’s links with most nations in this region are
traditional and civilisational, supported by centuries of
maritime trade and migration of people.
India’s
land frontiers exceed 15,000 kms. India shares land borders
with seven countries. India’s peninsular shape provides her
a vast coastline of 7600 km. She has a large number of far
flung island territories and an Exclusive Economic Zone of
over two million square kilometers. The island territories in
the east are 1300 km away from mainland and are virtually
adjacent to South-East Asian neighbours. India shares maritime
boundary with five neighbours. The seas surrounding India are
likely to see the presence of extra-regional forces, at least
until the oil lasts.
This
region has strategic and tactical missiles and a sophisticated
nuclear dimension. It is witnessing an unprecedented
proliferation of small arms and narcotics trafficking which,
in turn, threatens the stability of states and societies.
Within
the sub-continent, India’s national security interests are
closely linked to her immediate neighbours— Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka. Her relations with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
and Maldives are stable and based upon friendship and
understanding.
Regular
interactions and exchanges at different levels with
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Myanmar
have succeeded in extending and deepening the broad-based
relationships that exist in diverse areas. The government’s
focus has been on enhancing mutually beneficial linkages in
the economic and infrastructural fields, thus, promoting
mutual trust and cooperation in key areas.
The
ISI has been trying to exploit some areas of Nepal and
Bangladesh for launching subversive activities in different
parts of India, particularly in the North-East and J&K.
This is a cause of serious concern.
There
was a high-level interaction in areas including water
resources, trade and defence. International dialogue on key
issues relating to border management and security-related
matters included Home Secretary-level talks, Director
General-level meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF)
and the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in New Delhi and in Dhaka and
the meeting of the Joint Working Group from respective Home
Ministries in New Delhi.
As
part of the regular interaction between the Armed Forces of
India and Bangladesh, the then Chief of Army Staff, Gen V P
Malik paid an official visit to Bangladesh. The first
India-Bangladesh army joint river rafting expedition was held
on the Teesta and Brahmaputra (Yamuna in Bangladesh).
India’s
largest neighbour, China is working towards the goal of
achieving super power status in the new millennium. Today,
China occupies approximately 38,000 sq kms of India’s
territory. In addition, under the so called Sino-Pak boundary
agreement, Pakistan has illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of India’s
territory to China in POK. China also claims approximately
90,000 sq kms in Arunachal Pradesh. It is rapidly modernising
its armed forces and is building political and military
bridges with a large number of countries in our neighbourhood.
Every major Indian city is within reach of Chinese missiles
and it is reported that this capability is being further
augmented to include submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
The asymmetry in terms of nuclear forces is strongly in favour
of China which additionally has helped Pakistan to build
missile and nuclear capability.
China
is currently preoccupied with domestic development and
developments relating to Taiwan and the South China seas. As
these problems are unlikely to be settled in the next few
years, China’s priority vis-a-vis India will not be
necessarily to resolve, but keep differences within manageable
limits. Both countries are presently actively engaged in
pursuing economic liberalisation. A number of
confidence-building measures (CBMs) have been initiated and
these are bearing fruit incrementally. A number of high level
visits have been exchanged. The Indian President visited China
in May-June 2000 and this was followed by the visit of Mr Li
Peng in January 2001. These visits have improved bilateral
relations and enhanced mutual understanding.
China
is a declared nuclear power with a wide range of military
capabilities. India and China have an unresolved boundary.
Although the border areas have remained largely peaceful, from
time to time, on account of differences of perception of the
Line of Actual Control (LAC), situations have arisen on the
ground that could have been avoided had the LAC clarification
been completed. The two sides have reiterated their commitment
to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 and 1996 Agreements.
Both sides have agreed to seek a reasonable and mutually
acceptable solution of the boundary question through peaceful
dialogue and through established mechanisms like the joint
working group and the expert group. In the eighth meeting of
the expert group, both sides exchanged maps of the LAC, as
perceived by them respectively, in the middle sector of the
India-China boundary.
[source
: Ministry of Defence Annual Report 2000-2001] |
