NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORY - DEFENCE AND SECURITY
News: Curbing
terror in Afghanistan, enhancing connectivity key to India-Central Asia
security: NSA Doval
What's in the news?
● Curbing
terrorism and terrorist financing in Afghanistan, and the use of trade and
connectivity routes via Iran are key to regional security said India as
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval chaired the first India-Central Asia
meeting of NSAs and Secretaries of Security Councils in Delhi.
Key takeaways:
● The
Security Advisors discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact
on the security and stability of the region, reiterating strong support for a
peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan, emphasizing respect for its
sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and urging non-interference in its
internal affairs.
National Security Advisor:
● The
National Security Advisor is the senior
official on the National Security Council of India, and the chief adviser to
the Prime Minister of India on national security policy and international
affairs.
● Ajit Doval
is the current NSA, and has the same
rank as a Union Cabinet Minister.
● The
post has high vested powers, so the NSA is a highly prominent and powerful
office in the Government of India.
● All
NSAs appointed since the inception of the post in 1998 belong to either the
Indian Foreign Service or to the Indian Police Service, and serve at the
discretion of the Prime Minister of India.
Role:
● The
National Security Advisor (NSA) is tasked with regularly advising the Prime Minister of India on all matters
relating to internal and external threats and opportunities to India, and
oversees strategic and sensitive issues on behalf of the Prime Minister.
● The
NSA of India also serves as the Prime
Minister’s Special Interlocutor with China as well as the envoy to Pakistan and
Israel on security affairs.
● The
NSA receives all intelligence (RAW, IB,
NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) reports and co-ordinates them to present before the
Prime Minister.
● NSA
is assisted by the Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs).
● The
policy group is the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and
integration of inputs in forming national security policies.
● The
group members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the
three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign
secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defense secretary.