Lok Sabha Election 2024: Here is Congress’ blueprint for national security

Congress released manifesto for 2024 Lok Sabha elections

The Indian National Congress, in its manifesto released on April 3, has promised that it will bring the National Security Council (NSC) and the office of National Security Advisor (NSA) under the oversight of a select committee of Parliament as part of improving national security.

It has also promised that it will systematically expand the opportunities for women to serve in combatant and non-combatant roles in the Armed Forces.

“Chinese intrusions in Ladakh and the Galwan clash in 2020 represented the biggest setbacks to Indian national security in decades. On June 19, 2020, PM Narendra Modi gave a clean chit to China that considerably weakened our negotiating position,” says the Congress party.

The party has alleged that despite 21 rounds of military-level talks, Chinese troops continue to occupy Indian territory and deny Indian forces access to 26 out of 65 patrolling points, equivalent to an area of 2,000 square km in eastern Ladakh.

A Chinese buildup in Doklam threatens the Siliguri Corridor that connects northeast India with the rest of the country, Congress added.

The party says that after it is elected to power, it will go for detailed deliberations to issue a comprehensive national security strategy and bring a new operational directive to deal with the current two-front challenge.

“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a sensitive and crucial post for military reform, preparedness, and joint operations. Congress will institutionalize the process of appointing the CDS to ensure transparency and military consensus. We will reverse the decline in defense expenditure as a proportion of total expenditure and will ensure that sufficient funds are allocated and spent to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces,” the manifesto reads.

Congress has promised that it will scarp the Agnipath Scheme and return to the normal recruitment processes in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, which will guarantee economic and social security for soldiers.
The National Security Council (NSC) and the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) will be brought under the oversight of a select committee of Parliament, added Congress.

It said that the concept of national security in the 21st century has expanded beyond the defense of the territory to include hybrid warfare, data security, cybersecurity, financial security, communication security, and security of trade routes.

As per the manifesto, Congress will establish a National Economic Security Board under the NSC with the objectives to monitor possible risks to global supply chain disruptions and suggest counteractions, reduce over-dependence on large import sources, recommend future courses of action towards inward and outward investments that will strengthen India's footprint in the world.

The party also mentions that it will monitor global financial flows, and identify potential threats to India, along with actions required to mitigate them in advance, and rapidly expand domestic capacity to manufacture defense and security hardware and equipment.