The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): With India facing a “two-front challenge” from China and Pakistan, and border tensions escalating in Ladakh and Kashmir, the Congress party today unveiled a comprehensive national security agenda in its election manifesto. The party promises to formulate a new National Security Strategy (NSS) within 6 months of coming to power, in consultation with all stakeholders including the armed forces, intelligence agencies, diplomats and domain experts.
Accusing the BJP government of “compromising” India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, with Chinese troops occupying over 1,000 sq km of Indian territory in Ladakh since May 2020 (Ministry of External Affairs, 2022), Congress vows to take “all necessary measures” to restore the status quo ante and prevent further incursions. It also promises to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP and fast-track the modernization of the armed forces.
To address the “crisis of leadership” in the higher defense management, with the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) lying vacant since the tragic death of General Bipin Rawat in December 2021, the manifesto pledges to appoint a new CDS within 3 months and give the office statutory powers to integrate the three services. It also promises to establish a National Defence University and a separate cabinet committee on defense reforms.
On the issue of border infrastructure, with India lagging behind China in road and rail connectivity in the frontier regions, Congress promises to launch a Rs. 1 lakh crore Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to build all-weather roads, bridges, tunnels and airfields along the LAC and LOC. It also vows to speed up the construction of the 73 strategic roads approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2017.
To boost defense indigenization and reduce India’s dependence on imports, which account for over 60% of the defense budget (MOD, 2022), the manifesto pledges to increase the share of domestic procurement to 75% by 2027. It promises to set up a National Defence Manufacturing Corporation to coordinate between the public and private sectors and provide tax incentives and cheap credit to domestic defense companies.
On the internal security front, with Naxal violence claiming over 8,000 lives in the last decade (SATP, 2022) and the situation in Kashmir remaining volatile, Congress promises to revamp the intelligence and counter-insurgency apparatus and give more powers to the states. It vows to hold unconditional talks with all stakeholders in Kashmir and the Northeast to find political solutions to the long-standing conflicts.
To address the growing threat of cyber attacks and data breaches, with India being the third most targeted country in the world (Symantec, 2022), the manifesto pledges to establish a National Cyber Security Commission and a 24×7 National Cyber Defence Centre. It also promises to enact a comprehensive data protection law and set up a national data governance framework.
As India navigates a complex and rapidly evolving security landscape, with new threats emerging from both state and non-state actors, the Congress manifesto offers a multi-dimensional approach to safeguarding the nation’s interests. However, translating these promises into action will require a major overhaul of the existing institutional structures and decision-making processes, as well as a strategic vision that balances military strength with diplomatic outreach and conflict resolution.
