Editorial 1 : Three Neighbourhood Questions
Introduction: In less than three years, Indian foreign and security interests have suffered severe setbacks in three countries in India’s immediate neighbourhood i.e. Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh. Do these reverses the consequence of misjudgements of policy makers or do the reasons lie in the structures of policy making in these critical areas?
Domestic response to the situation
- It is essential for political and security classes to introspect on these issues, avoiding political point scoring.
- Government called an all-party meeting to brief the Opposition on the developments in Bangladesh and the Opposition leaders have responded, by not raising the temperature on the government’s handling of Bangladesh.
- The government-Opposition dialogue should continue in the coming weeks and months and extend also to a consideration of policy-making structures.
- The government, apart from the judgement and instincts of its top leadership, has to rely on the professional advice given by the various ministries, organisations and agencies which handle India’s external interests.
India’s apparatus in foreign dealings
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in charge of managing the foreign policy of the country.
- It is manned by the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) whose mandate is to look after India’s external interests.
- In the neighbouring countries, India’s embassies are helmed by diplomats who are carefully chosen for their competence and understanding of regional and global affairs.
- In 1968, India created its external intelligence service (R&AW) with the mandate to ensure that it develops the skills to explore and bring forth the subterranean which impacts India’s interests.
- Diplomats and officers of the external intelligence, MEA, other concerned ministries and the external intelligence agency have different but complementary roles and methods to safeguard and promote national interest.
Need for changes in security structure post 1998
- As India became a nuclear weapons state and in the quarter century since, new security structures had to be put in place to meet new and growing challenges.
- These emanated from changing global power equations, technological changes in the cyber and space fields.
- They had a direct bearing on the country’s defence and internal and external security.
- In addition, concerns in the neighbourhood have increased with China’s rise and its continuing hostility towards India.
Changes made post 1998
- The formation of new structures began in 1999 with the creation of the National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister, a Strategic Policy Group, and, most significantly, the creation of the post of National Security Advisor (NSA).
- A National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) was established to service these new structures.
- The NSA was to assist the Prime Minister on foreign policy, defence, atomic energy and space issues (besides internal and external security).
- The quickest and most effective means to reach a foreign government in times of crises is through the NSA.
Developments in NSCS
- The NSCS has also proportionately grown. After 2018, it consists of four officials of Deputy NSA rank dealing with different areas of foreign and security issues.
- Following this year’s elections, an officer of Additional NSA status has been added.
- The ultimate purpose of the NSA and NSCS is to coordinate strategic and security related work but, with this “turf” issues arise.
Conclusion – Turf issues
- The Indian system have been taken by surprise by the swiftness of the final changes in Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh. The foreign policy failures occurred despite the large structures that are now in place.
- Some questions arise and need to be answered: Are “turf” issues responsible and, if so, how high do they reach? Or were there a series of misjudgements and, if so, by whom?
Editorial 2 : After the Olympics
Context: India’s performance in the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games 2024.
Introduction: Finishing with six medals, India couldn’t improve on its last Olympics medal haul of seven. On the medals tally, it slipped from 48th to 70th place.
Lessons from Paris
- With defending javelin champion Neeraj Chopra settling for silver, the lack of a gold medal cost the country a good 10 places this time.
- Paris will be remembered for the lessons it taught a nation with grand sporting dreams of producing world-class athletes and hosting mega international events.
- As the curtains come down in Paris, Indian sports needs to go into a huddle.
- The important stake-holders — federations, Sports Authority of India, Sports Ministry and other non-government organisations — need to pull in the same direction.
The Shortcomings and What needs to be done?
- The spending on elite athletes was generous, but it was celebrity-driven and without foresight.
- Need for athletes to be far more accountable and deliver when it matters as highlighted by Prakash Padukone.
- Federations need to course correct as reflected by:
- Vinesh Phogat’s weight category confusion.
- Nikhat Zareen’s lack of match-day training and subsequent tough draw.
- India can dream of broad-basing into swimming and athletics, but not without ensuring badminton, weightlifting, wrestling, and boxing keep up with their medal marks.
- The near-misses and many fourth-place finishes need to be minutely analysed for meltdowns under pressure.
Revived Hockey: The Bright Spot
- The real bright spot has been the men’s hockey team. Back-to-back Olympic bronze medals is an exceptional achievement.
- Captain Harmanpreet Singh, leading the team both at Tokyo and Paris, had a reliable core group that the selectors didn’t disturb.
- In coach Craig Fulton, the team had a committed coach with an international reputation of building champion international sides.
- The government and federation gave both the captain and the coach a free hand.
Way Forward
- Olympic medals need a process and persistence with top names at least over a couple of cycles.
- At the Paris review meeting for Indian sports stake-holders, there needs to be a white-board with a message written in bold — “Identify the champions wisely and honestly. And listen to them”.
- This was shown by double medallist shooter Manu Bhaker who had her way with Jaspal Rana as her coach.