Published on 06 Feb 2025
The office of National Security Advisor, created in 1998, is the senior official of the National Security Council which is given a cabinet rank. Since its inception, the office has been critical in determining India's foreign policy, especially on strategic issues.
Functions of NSA
Functions as the chief advisor to the Prime minister on national security policy and international affairs.
The NSA receives all intelligence (RAW, IB, NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) reports and coordinates them to present before 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.
Presides over the National Security Council.
Significance of National Security Advisor
Strategic planning and policy formulation: The NSA plays a vital role in formulating long-term security strategies after analysing various geopolitical and security factors.
Example: Ajit Doval was instrumental in India's counter airstrike in Balakot, in 2019.
Coordination of national security matters: The NSA acts as a coordinator between various security agencies and ensures effective collaboration for swift response to threats.
Example: M.K. Narayanan played a key role in coordinating the response against the Mumbai terror attack.
Counterterrorism operation: Countering terrorism and insurgency from both inside and outside the country requires coordinated effort which is facilitated by the NSA.
Example: The NSA worked well to coordinate a response against the Naga insurgency in 2015.
Diplomacy and international relations: The NSA also takes part in international security dialogues and through these negotiations builds better relations with partners.
Example: Indian NSA presided over the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.
Crisis management: Dealing with crises, both natural or those due to external actors, requires quick and coherent responses which are facilitated by the NSA.
Example: Ajit Doval was instrumental in tackling the Galwan Valley crisis and the Doklam crisis between India and China.
Concerns regarding the office of the NSA
Lack of accountability: There exists no procedure to appoint the NSA and the parliamentary oversight over their functioning is limited which leads to potential misuse of power.
Example: Questions persist on the role of the NSA in Rafale procurement.
Powers not codified: The power exercised by the NSA is not mandated by any legislation and hence is flexible as per government will. This excess power along with confidential operations questions the transparency of the office.
No fixed term: Lack of office terms makes the NSA more dependent on the ruling government and it hinders the neutral service guaranteed by the office.
Example: Ajit Doval has been the NSA since the NDA government came to power and his continuance in office shows the connection between the two.
Excessive bureaucratic power: The increasing role of the NSA has overshadowed the role of many civilian institutions and democratic processes.
Example: the overshadowing of civilian and democratic institutions can be seen in the context of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Overlap of responsibility: Overlap of responsibility between the Defence Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry can bring more confusion in the security framework.
Thus, the office of NSA has been very critical in managing India's present security framework and its relevance is not going to fade soon. But mandates should be brought about to bring more transparency in their functioning through well-laid procedures for appointments and guidelines specifying their power to make their functioning more accountable and transparent.
Security
National security architecture
National security advisor
Significance of NSA
General Studies Paper 3
Internal Security