How is India reforming its security sector and what are the challenges facing security sector reform (SSR) in the country? There is no comprehensive single SSR process in India, but reforms are underway in all key security sectors. These reforms have their root in developments after India’s nuclear tests in 1998. They are self-driven, reactive, and piecemeal. Integrated, comprehensive SSR based on a national strategic planning process is needed or the full benefits of reform will be lost.
The governance of India’s security sector needs to be seen in the context of its external and internal vulnerability. India’s regional security environment is fraught with friction. It has a long-standing dispute with its neighbour Pakistan. Relations with its other northern neighbours are uneasy due to Muslim insurgent camps that threaten terrorist attacks against India. In the south, relations with Sri Lanka are better, but there are still terrorist threats posed by the Tamil Tigers. Internal security challenges also abound. These include militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgencies in the north east, left-wing extremism in central states, chronic poor governance in Bihar, the incitement of tensions between the religious communities in Gujarat, feudalism and criminalisation of politics in Uttar Pradesh, and criminal violence in Mumbai.
However, India is the only country in the region that is undertaking reforms without any external pressure or drivers. The reforms cover nuclear strategic control, the armed forces and defence procurement, internal security, the police, criminal justice and prison reforms.
- The establishment of the National Security Council, National Security Advice Board, and Integrated Defence Structure and Nuclear Command Authority have strengthened the government’s ability to manage defence effectively.
- Development of nuclear weapons has led to an opening up of discussions on security. Public participation is stronger, but debate has not crystallised into pressure on specific issues.
- Problems remain with defence expenditure and procurement, despite active government oversight mechanisms and the development of procurement guidelines in 2006.
- Leftist extremism (the naxal problem) is the biggest internal security challenge for the nation. There is no uniform counter-naxal policy, and there is an uneven response lacking inter-state coordination.
- State governments have been reluctant to implement police reform, especially with regard to the 2006 Supreme Court Directives on establishing State Security Commissions and Police Complaints Authorities.
Integrated, comprehensive SSR must be preceded by a comprehensive needs assessment. This will identify critical gaps and potential links across sectors. Other policy implications of the analysis follow.
- The cost of conflict in India is measured only in terms of casualties. The economic and institutional costs of conflict are largely unknown. A systematic review of the security sector will highlight these issues.
- Internal security will remain the biggest challenge in the coming years. Bad governance is a contributing factor to conflict in some states, and conflict has further damaged weak institutions. These governance ‘black holes’ should not be left unchecked.
- The Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005 has immense potential to promote police and justice reforms. Implementing the RTI has resulted in increased government transparency and accountability
- Aggressive media campaigning together with an informed civil society have educated the public on their rights under the RTI and exposed corruption in defence procurement.
