Need strong army to avoid war, not win it: DS Hooda

The Congress party unveiled a comprehensive report on national security prepared by Lt Gen. DS Hooda, who had supervised the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control. The report, titled 'India's National Security Strategy', has identified protecting the nation's sovereignty, securing its territorial integrity, promoting the country's rise to its "rightful place" in internal affairs and ensuring a "peaceful internal environment" as top priorities.

"A well-defined national security strategy is also a clear vision of the path that a nation should take in the pursuit of attaining its national objectives. It also provides a guide for all organs of the State on the policy directions they should follow," Hooda has written in the report.

While unveiling the report on Sunday, the Congress said, "India faces multiple security challenges in the 21st century, including transnational terrorism, a troubled neighbourhood marred by outstanding border disputes with Pakistan and China, internal militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, Left-wing extremism in some parts of the country, threats to the data privacy of our citizens, economic threats, and climate change and environmental threats."

Also present at the unveiling were Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh. "Keeping in view the nature of future war fighting, there is a need to build up capabilities and ensure adequate budgetary support is available to the three services," said Hooda.

Later in the day, at a panel discussion titled 'Beyond Politics: Debating a new Security Manifesto', Hooda said, "There is a weakness right now on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) because our infrastructural development is not keeping pace."

Chidambaram, who was also present on the occasion said, "War is not an option. We build a strong army not to win a war but avoid a war. Unfortunately in recent times, there is a lot of chest thumping and drum beating," he said.

Countering Chidambaram, however, noted defence analyst Nitin Gokhale said, "If war is thrust upon India, what do we do? We should be prepared for that. War can come anytime.”

WHAT DOES THE DOSSIER SAY

• Protecting the nation’s sovereignty, securing its territorial integrity and ensuring a “peaceful internal environment” identified as top priorities
   
• It identifies multiple security challenges faced by India in the 21st century
   
• These include border disputes with Pakistan and China, militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, Left-wing extremism, threats to the data privacy, climate change, etc.