Editorial of the Day (12th Aug): Three Neighbourhood Questions

Context: In less than 3 years, India has faced severe setbacks in its foreign and security interests in neighbouring countries.

Neighbouring Countries with Setbacks

• Bangladesh: On August 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amidst violent protests and fled the country.
• Maldives: On November 17, 2023, Mohamed Muizzu was sworn in as President, committed to reducing India’s influence and increasing China’s presence.
• Afghanistan: On August 15, 2021, President Ashraf Ghani fled as the Taliban took over, despite significant Indian diplomatic investment.

Key Indian Foreign and Security Agencies

Ministry Of External Affairs

• Origin: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) traces its origins to the British colonial era with the Foreign Department established in 1783.
  • Post-independence in 1947, it became the Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, renamed MEA in 1948.
• Organisational Structure:
  • Leadership: Headed by the Minister of External Affairs, assisted by the Minister of State for External Affairs and the Foreign Secretary.
  • Divisions:
    • Territorial: East Asia, West Asia and North Africa, Central Europe, Latin America, etc.
    • Functional: Economic Diplomacy, Consular, Passport & Visa, Protocol, etc.
    • Specialized: Disarmament and International Security Affairs, United Nations Political, etc.
• Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Foreign Policy: Formulating and implementing India’s foreign policy.
  • Diplomatic Relations: Conducting diplomatic relations with foreign countries and international organisations.
  • Citizen Protection: Protecting the interests of Indian citizens abroad.
  • Trade and Culture: Promoting India’s trade, commerce, and cultural relations.
  • Treaties and Agreements: Negotiating international treaties and agreements.
  • International Representation: Representing India at the United Nations and other forums.
  • Diplomatic Missions: Managing India’s embassies and consulates abroad.
• Major Initiatives:
  • Neighborhood First Policy: Improving relations with immediate neighbours.
  • Act East Policy: Engaging with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
  • Link West Policy: Strengthening ties with West Asia, especially GCC states.
  • India-Africa Forum Summit: Enhancing cooperation with African nations.
  • International Solar Alliance: Promoting global solar energy use.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

• Genesis of RAW:
  • Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) managed both internal and external intelligence.
  • The 1962 China-India war and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965 highlighted the need for a separate external intelligence agency.
  • In 1968, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed R. N. Kao was the first director of the newly established Research and Analysis Wing.
• Function:
  • Gathers military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.
  • Monitors terrorist elements and smuggling rings transporting weapons and ammunition into India.

National Security Structures

National Security Council (NSC)

• Formation: Established in 1999, the National Security Council (NSC) is the apex body for coordinating India’s national security and strategic policies.
• Chairmanship: The NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes key ministers and officials responsible for defence, foreign policy, and internal security.
• Function: The council deliberates on security issues, assesses threats, and formulates strategic responses. It integrates inputs from various security and intelligence agencies.

National Security Advisor (NSA)

• Role: The NSA serves as the principal advisor to the Prime Minister on matters of national security, foreign policy, defence, atomic energy, and space issues.
• Influence: The NSA coordinates between different ministries and agencies, ensuring a cohesive approach to security challenges. The position has gained significant influence, especially in times of crisis, where direct communication with foreign governments is required.

National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)

• Support Structure: The NSCS supports the NSC and the NSA, providing administrative and analytical support.
  • It comprises multiple officials of Deputy NSA rank, each focusing on specific areas such as defence, intelligence, and foreign policy.
• Expansion: An officer of Additional NSA status was added recently to further strengthen its capabilities.

Reasons for the Indian System’s Surprise by Rapid Changes in Neighbouring Countries

• Intelligence and Analytical Failures: The intelligence agencies might have failed to gather accurate and timely information on the evolving political situations in these countries.
  • Even when information was available, there might have been shortcomings in analysing and interpreting the data correctly, leading to underestimations of the risks and pace of changes.
• Turf Issues and Coordination Problems: Turf issues between various agencies (such as RAW, MEA, and other security organs) could have hampered the effective sharing and synthesis of intelligence.
  • The different agencies might not have worked harmoniously, leading to fragmented and incomplete pictures of the situations on the ground.
• Over-Reliance on Specific Leaders: India’s foreign policy in these countries was heavily reliant on specific leaders (e.g., Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, Ibrahim Solih in Maldives, and Ashraf Ghani in Afghanistan).
  • The abrupt changes in leadership destabilised India’s strategic interests.
  • The sudden political upheavals, such as violent protests in Bangladesh and the rapid Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, were not anticipated despite visible signs of instability.

Conclusion

• These events underscore the need for India to reassess and strengthen its foreign policy mechanisms.
• Enhancing intelligence capabilities, ensuring harmonious functioning among various agencies, and adopting a more flexible and adaptive approach to policy-making are crucial steps.
• By addressing these shortcomings, India can better safeguard its interests and respond more effectively to the complex and rapidly changing geopolitical landscape in its neighbourhood.

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