PAPER PRESENTED BY

V. R.KALYANI
III – BA. LLB(H) - C
21119142
14.09.2023

CHALLENGES TO NATIONAL SECURITY

 What is National Security?

• National Security refers to the protection and preservation of a nation's

sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens against internal and
external threats. It encompasses various dimensions, including military defense,
intelligence gathering and analysis, law enforcement, border control,
cybersecurity, and emergency response. National Security aims to maintain the
stability, prosperity, and well-being of a nation by ensuring the safeguarding of its
political, economic, social, and cultural interests.

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 Left-wing Extremism

• The left-wing extremism (LWE) or Naxal insurgency in India

originated in a 1967 uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal by the
Communist Party of India (Marxist). They are the group of people
who believe in the political theory derived from the teachings of the
Chinese political leader Mao Zedong. The Naxals strongly believe
that the solution to social and economic discrimination is to
overthrow the existing political system.

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•The latest ambush by Maoist rebels on a large contingent of
security personnel in Bastar is yet another well-planned and
ruthlessly executed attack in a long line of similar attacks in the
Maoist-infested regions of central India. Nearly 22 jawans were
martyred in the attack.

•This tragic incident is a major and embarrassing setback to the IS

(internal security) capability of India at many levels and highlights
the challenge that LWE (left-wing extremism) continues to pose.

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 Insurgency in Northeast India
• The Insurgency in Northeast India involves multiple separatist militant
groups operating in some of India's northeastern states, which are
connected to the rest of India by the Siliguri Corridor, a strip of land as
narrow as 14.29 miles (23.00 km) wide.
• Northeastern India consists of seven states (also known as the Seven
Sister States): Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Tensions existed between insurgents
in these states and the central government as well as amongst their
native indigenous people and migrants from other parts of India and
illegal immigrants.

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LWE organizations are the groups that try to bring change through violent revolution. They are against
democratic institutions and use violence to subvert the democratic processes at ground level.
The movement has spread across the Eastern India in less developed areas of states such as
Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

• The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between India

and a number of separatist rebel groups, taking place in the state of
Manipur. The Insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in
Northeast India; it combines elements of a national liberation war as well
as an ethnic conflict.
 Separatism and Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

• The issues of separatism and terrorism in the state of J&K blur the
distinction between external and internal aspects of security threats.
In fact, it is the combination of the external and the internal
dimension that contributes to the security challenges in the J&K. The
internal dimension of the security threats can be linked to the
religious radicalisation wrapped with fig leaf of Kashmir nationalism
asserting for separate statehood. This complex interplay of several
interconnected issues makes it difficult for the Indian state to deal
with the security threats effectively. Some scholars observe that the

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 territorial defensibility of the Indian state, the assertion of
Pakistan over the same territory and the aggressive religious-
Kashmir nationalism offers a vicious cycle of security
challenges for the Indian state.

 The nature of security threats emanating from J&K with the

involvement of Pakistan, China and the terrorist groups are
multifold. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Indian
state face a direct threat. The rising religious radicalisation
among the youth in J&K continues to have negative
implications on the secular fabrics of India. The assertion of
Islamic fundamentalism has been instrumental for the mass
exodus of the Kashmir Pandits from their native place.
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• Moreover, decades long militancy and terrorism in Kashmir also poses
a serious threat to human security.
Communal Violence

Unlike the above-mentioned issues, identifying the threat perception

emanating from communalism is trickier. Communalism, is conflict between
two or more religious groups over secular issues. These conflicts between two
religious communities often receive certain political and social acceptance.

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• The communal riots pose a direct threat to the diversity of India.Further,
the communal tensions leading to fuelling religious radicalisation is a
major security threat to the Indian state. The indoctrination of extreme
religious ideologies leading to the radicalisation often finds its source of
legitimacy through the communal divide and riots. It has been observed
by the scholars that terrorist organisations have shown an affinity to
leveraging violence against a particular religious community to recruit and
further their activities.
• To cite an example, the “Voice of Hind”, a propaganda material released
by the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) in 2020 makes attempts to
indoctrinate and recruit the Indian Muslims through manufacturing fears
and grievances owning to the communal divides in the country

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Political divisions
• Internal politics can create challenges for national security. Divisions
within the government can result in conflicting policies, lack of
coordination, and an inability to effectively respond to security threats.
Other Internal Threats Include
• 1. Law enforcement and intelligence coordination: Effective national
security requires seamless coordination between various law
enforcement and intelligence agencies. However, internal challenges can
arise when agencies have competing priorities, limited information
sharing, or overlapping jurisdictions.
• 2. Cyber security vulnerabilities: The increasing reliance on technology and
interconnected systems exposes nations to cyber security threats. 14.09.2023
 Balancing security and civil liberties: Protecting national security often requires certain
limitations on civil liberties and individual rights. Internal challenges arise in striking the
right balance between safeguarding national security and preserving individual
freedoms.
 Resource allocation: Allocating resources towards national security demands careful
prioritization. Internal challenges can emerge when determining where to allocate
resources, particularly when faced with competing domestic needs such as healthcare,
education, and infrastructure.
 Corruption and organized crime: Internal corruption and the influence of organized crime
networks can undermine national security efforts. Addressing these internal challenges
requires robust anti-corruption measures, effective law enforcement, and cooperation
between different levels of government. Overall, addressing these internal challenges is
crucial for maintaining national security and protecting the interests of a country.
Collaboration, coordination, and a proactive approach are necessary to effectively tackle
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these complexities.
External Threats to National Security
The China factor
Apart from Pakistan, the role of China in sustaining the conflicts and violence
cannot be ruled out. The episodes of the Chinese state issuing loose visas to
the people of J&K can be seen as attempts to dilute the sovereignty of India.
Scholars argue that a sustained Kashmir conflict serves the best for the
Chinese interest.20 To this extent, the Chinese state is very much a stakeholder
in the Kashmir conflicts along with Pakistan and Pakistan supported terrorist
groups.

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 India's history with terrorism and violent
•
extremism
Much of India's history with terrorism and violent extremism can be attributed to the
subcontinent's religiously motivated division into Pakistan and India in 1947.
• The most horrific ethnic riots in recent history, which were characterized by ferocious
brutality and terrorist attacks, continued to be witnessed across the sub-continent.
• During a brief time of neutrality following the partition, the then-Maharaja of Jammu
and Kashmir (J&K), Hari Singh, formally acceded to India; however, Pakistan, which has
claims to the Muslim-majority territory, has not and still does not recognize this act of
accession.
• The long-running war between the two countries is centered on this geographical
dispute, with each government strongly disputing the claims of the other.
• In addition, India accuses Pakistan of escalating the cross-border war and of funding
militant groups to destabilize the state of J&K and other regions of the nation.
 Types of terrorism
• Ethnic terrorism: It is defined as terrorism motivated by a crisis of
identity, a shortage of resources, or cultural imperialism among diverse
ethnic groups. It is widespread in India's northeast.
• Religious terrorism: Religious terrorism refers to the institutionalised
violence that is spread based on religion. At the heart of this terrorism is
a sense of religious superiority. Modern-day religious terrorism is seen as
one of the wrost terrorisms.
• Terrorism motivated by ideas: Left terrorism or naxalism are the terms
used to describe planned acts of violence that have communist
undertones. Nonetheless, right-wing terrorism is used to describe acts of
violence that have religious or cultural roots.
• Global terrorism: Terrorism that affects the entire world is referred to as global
terrorism. They primarily target western nations (America, Europe). The 9/11
assaults in America provided the first, terrifying sight of international terrorism.
Recently, France and Austria have seen acts of international terrorism.
• Cross-border terrorism: In this form of terrorism, individuals who are not Indian
nationals but who are supported by a particular religious cause or by countries
nearby carry out terrorist acts in the nation. Also, they back separatist
movements that are taking place in India. The area mainly impacted by these
operations is the UT of Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir. In situations like Pulwama,
Mumbai 26/11, and Pathankot, there was unequivocal proof that Pakistan
backed terrorism.
• Domestic terrorism: Domestic terrorism is a result of relative deprivation,
identity conflict, rising extremist sentiment among the majority group, and the
presence of communal elements in society. Since India's society and nation are
still developing, communalism presents a challenge to the nation-building
process.
 Nuclear proliferation: The spread of nuclear weapons and related technology presents a
major challenge to national security. Nations with nuclear capabilities have the potential to
cause significant destruction and destabilize international relations.
 State-sponsored espionage: Governments engaging in espionage activities can obtain
classified information and compromise a nation's security. State-sponsored hacking and
intelligence gathering have become increasingly common, raising concerns about national
security.
 Maritime Security: India's extensive coastline and maritime territory require
comprehensive measures to counter smuggling, piracy, and safeguard valuable resources,
including oil and natural gas reserves.
 6. Economic warfare: Nations can manipulate global financial systems, engage in currency
manipulation, or conduct economic espionage to gain an advantage over other countries.
This can weaken a nation's economy and security.
 Pandemics and biological threats: The outbreak of infectious diseases or the deliberate
release of biological agents can have severe consequences for national security.
Pandemics can disrupt essential services, cause economic downturns, and compromise
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military readiness.
• Energy security: Dependence on foreign sources of energy can leave a
nation vulnerable to supply disruptions and price volatility. External
factors such as conflicts in oil-producing regions can impact national
security and economic stability.

• Climate change: Environmental challenges, such as rising sea levels,

extreme weather events, and food shortages, can have significant
national security implications. These challenges can lead to social
unrest, resource conflicts, and mass displacement of populations.

• Global power shifts: Changes in the global balance of power can create
challenges for national security. Emerging powers may challenge
established world orders, leading to increased competition and potential
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