Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has issued a stark warning about India's preparedness for future geopolitical crises. Speaking at a public event, Tharoor criticized the Indian government's persistent failure to formulate and publicly release a comprehensive National Security Strategy (NSS).
A "Bureaucratic Allergy" to Clear Strategy
Tharoor pinpointed what he termed a "bureaucratic allergy" within the Indian system towards drafting definitive policy documents. He highlighted the contrast between India and other major powers, noting that Pakistan, China, and most significant global players operate with clearly stated national security doctrines. This absence, he argued, leaves India's strategic direction ambiguous at a time of escalating global threats.
"India’s refusal to adopt a public National Security Strategy leaves the country directionless," Tharoor asserted. He emphasized that without a formal, transparent strategy, the nation's responses to crises can become reactive and inconsistent.
Criticism Spanning UPA and NDA Governments
The parliamentarian did not limit his critique to the current administration. He extended the blame to successive governments over the past 15 years, including the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for their failure to enact a robust refugee law.
Tharoor stated that this legislative vacuum forces India to rely on arbitrary, case-by-case decisions instead of a transparent, rules-based framework for handling refugees. This lack of a legal structure, he suggested, undermines India's moral authority and creates administrative unpredictability.
The Urgent Need for Clarity Amidst Rising Threats
With China identified as India's primary strategic rival, Tharoor's warning carries significant weight. He stressed that India must proactively define its core interests, identify its allies, and outline its security commitments well before a potential crisis erupts.
"The cost of inaction is rising," Tharoor warned, implying that strategic ambiguity is a luxury India can no longer afford in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. He called for a definitive document that would serve as a guiding framework for the nation's diplomatic, military, and economic security apparatus, ensuring a unified and coherent response to challenges.
The call for a National Security Strategy is not new, but Tharoor's forceful intervention, framed as a non-partisan critique of systemic failure, has reignited a crucial debate about India's long-term strategic posture and institutional preparedness.
