Comprehensive approach to national security necessary: Analyst

Madurai, July 28 (UNI) Calling for a paradigm shift in the approach to national security, noted analyst Lt Gen (Retd) V R Raghavan today emphasised the need to reformulate policies, taking into account socio-economic, environmental and political factors.

Addressing newspersons here, he said traditional notion of security has become a contested terrain in view of the emerging concerns and ideas offering new perspectives. Security viewed through the prism of strategic standpoint alone would be highly inadequate, he observed.

In his opinion, 'Fourth Generation' warfare has reduced the role of the military, besides purpose of war itself. He said, military could not ensure 'peace', and pointed out that destabilisation is being done not through the army but with terrorist outfits.

Drawing the attention of policy makers, Gen Raghavan said addressing societal concerns was a prerequisite for adapting to the fourth generation warfare.

Describing the country as a nation with one billion people living with insecurity within secure boundaries, he said such a context should necessarily call for a rethink, on what constituted the core of national security.

Referring to the Mumbai blasts, the analyst said people wanted explanation from the Government, which was precisely what the terrorists wanted placing the Government in a fix.

Later, addressing a seminar, organised by the Political Science Department Madurai Kamaraj University and the Centre for Security Analysis (CSA) Chennai, on Public Perceptions of Security in India, he said national security remained at the bottom of priority in the perception of the common people.

Citing a national survey conducted by the CSA, of which he is the President, he said though it was confined to the urban areas the study had offered a peep into the minds of the citizens. It becomes evident that the established notion, confining national security to territories and territorial interests, had long ignored the legitimate concerns of the people.

He said the study was an attempt at initiating the need for an alternative model of national security. According to him, the survey revealed that disparities in development within the country, leading to regional imbalances, impinged on national security and over the period the distinction between external and internal threats have become blurred.

For the people, safety and security in terms of environment, development that offered jobs and employment, continued to be of utmost importance, which could no longer be ignored, he noted.

All these parameters, in his view underline the fact that human security would be the guiding mantra of national security not only in the present but also for the future.

UNI CR GKT LL RS2004