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150 Words10 Marks
Q.Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to combat these threats.
UPSC Mains 2021•Internal Security
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmIntroduction
India's internal security landscape is highly complex, facing continuous threats from both state actors (foreign governments) and non-state actors (terrorist outfits, radicalized NGOs, and multinational corporations).
Body Analysis
Challenges Posed by State and Non-State Actors
1. Challenges from State Actors
- Cyber Warfare: State-sponsored cyber-attacks (primarily from China) target critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and government databases.
- Proxy Insurgency: Hostile neighbors provide financial aid, safe havens, and advanced weaponry to insurgent groups in the Northeast and Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) areas.
- Cross-Border Terrorism: Pakistan’s long-standing state policy of "bleeding India through a thousand cuts" continues to fuel militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. Challenges from Non-State Actors
- Social Polarization: Radical groups and certain foreign-funded NGOs exploit social media to propagate divisive ideologies, inciting communal violence.
- Data Sovereignty Risks: Multinational corporations (MNCs) handling vast amounts of citizen data pose risks related to data privacy, surveillance, and digital manipulation.
- Religious Extremism: Global jihadist ideologies and fundamentalist networks threaten India's secular fabric and social cohesion.
Measures Required to Combat These Threats
graph TD A["Strengthening National Security Through Collaboration and Coordination"] --> B["Cybersecurity"] A --> C["Collaboration"] A --> D["Improved Coordination"] A --> E["Training Local Police"]
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Establish seamless information-sharing channels between the government, media, civil society, and law enforcement agencies.
- Capacity Building of Local Police: Equip state police forces with modern tactical training and advanced technology, as they act as the first line of defense.
- Inter-Agency Coordination: Enhance intelligence sharing and operational synergy between central agencies (IB, RAW, NIA) and state police forces.
- Robust Cybersecurity Framework: Build advanced cyber-defense systems, secure critical infrastructure, and promote indigenous encryption technologies.
- National Internal Security Doctrine: Formulate a comprehensive, unified doctrine to clearly define and address threats from both state and non-state actors.
Conclusion
India must adopt a proactive, technology-driven, and highly coordinated national security strategy. Strengthening democratic institutions, fostering cyber resilience, and implementing a robust internal security doctrine are essential to safeguarding the nation's integrity.
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