“Ever since you elected my Government in March last year, I have been working with one single aim, with one single purpose to make India strong and self-confident in every sphere of development and defence. We have worked with sincerity and determination. Against all the odds created by global recession and sanctions imposed by some countries after Pokhran, we have put the Indian economy back on the growth path”. – Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Address To The Nation On Test Firing Agni –II, April 11, 1999
Security of borders, national ethos, individual beings and sovereignty are the most critical aspect of any nation. In a democracy, where freedom and responsibilities go hand in hand, strategic culture and sensitivity play an essential role. Unfortunately, while going for elections, unless we are amidst war or taking on the enemy country in response to its misadventure, the issue of national security does not feature in the voting behaviour. What should be our understanding of the changing global strategic landscape and growing challenges to Bharat? How is it reflected in the manifestoes of various political parties? What should be our approach as voters on the critical national security issue?
Even the critics of Modi Government would not dispute the fact that in the last ten years, Bharat has emerged as a more secured country with a series of bold decisions. The process, which started during the Vajpayee era of assertive diplomacy, has been taken to a new level under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Bharat is seen with more respect not just because of economic potential and market opportunities but also the way ancient Rashtra is reinventing itself with a strategic combination of soft power and stern decisions. Pakistan has become irrelevant in our foreign policy landscape, once we have opted for the surgical strikes to destroy the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LOC). China has been constructively engaged after showing eye to eye on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and continuously developing border infrastructure along the border. The Western powers can no longer bully Bharat on small counts, even though they take pleasure of preaching us on democracy and human rights every now and then. When the global security environment is in flux, Bharat is seen as a credible nation that can take an independent and balanced line on every possible issue. We have swiftly moved from non-alignment to all-alignment based on redefining our national interest, a testament to our progress and resilience.
Aatmanirbharata in the defence sector is one of the key policy initiatives of the last ten years. The amendment to Article 370 has drastically changed the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir. The systemic approach of infrastructural development and increased connectivity in the North-Eastern parts has given people confidence in governance. The militant organisations are losing out on their old strategies of using violence to sustain their parallel and corrupt governance. The Maoist terrorists are fast losing ground despite the continued support from their urban counterparts.
Many vested interests, within and outside Bharat, are naturally rattled because of these developments. They use the tools of narrative building as a strategy and try to create confusion among voters during election times. The regional parties have a narrow political consideration and generally lack the national perspective on the foreign policy and national security front. The Communist-parties known for their allegiance to the foreign ideology and extra-territorial allegiance always undermine our interests in favour of someone else. The Islamists always create fearmongering among the Muslims. And external powers, both through the financial and misinformation campaign, try to influence the electoral outcome. Unfortunately, the only national level opposition party that is Congress is not just waning on the electoral front but forgoing its ‘national’ character in terms of ethos, that to the complete takeover by the radical communist elements. It’s high time we engage in a sensible debate on these issues, for the sake of our nation’s security.
Amidst this scenario, we need a sensible debate and discussion on the national security strategy for the rising Bharat. We must evolve a polity with zero tolerance for attacks on its sovereignty, dignity and integrity. To ensure such a polity, the security considerations cannot be left to the forces. We should be a soldier to protect our democracy and the civilisational values that we stand for. Any attempt to divide us or target our sovereignty should be questioned by the common people. While voting this should be one of the prime considerations along with the party, ideology and leadership. Your vote is not just a choice; it’s a responsibility for our nation’s security.
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