Internal Security

No posts of Books and Monograph.

A Critical Evaluation of the Union Government’s Response to the Maoist Challenge

The Union Government took notice of the current phase of the Naxalite challenge with concern, for the first time, in 1998. Since then, it has been playing a coordinating role among the various affected states to address the challenge. It has also been advising the affected states on ways to deal with the challenge. By 2003, the Union Government had put in place a two-pronged approach to address the Maoist challenge - that of a development response and a security response. However, all along, the Union Government's response has largely been security-centric.

Identity and Conflict: Perspectives from the Kashmir Valley

Based on interviews with a cross-section of people from the Kashmir Valley including aspirants of self-determination, academics, media persons, members of the civil society, and security forces this article argues that perceptions about identity are central to the conflict in Kashmir Valley. Having successfully stemmed the tide of armed conflict militarily, it is now crucial for the government to take cognizance of and address these issues in an appropriate manner as management of these perceptions will be critical to bringing enduring peace to the Kashmir Valley.

A Year after 26/11: Soft Responses of a Reluctant State

Why are the two largest democracies – India and the United States – starkly different when it comes to tackling terrorism? The answer to this perplexing question could lie in the two countries' divergent approach to security and management of national security resources. Equally relevant is the variance in their political resoluteness in exercising suitable responses to emergent threats.

Illegal Migration, Insurgency, and the Political Economy of Assam

Unravelling Insurgent Groups’ Strategy: The Case of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim in India

The overall strategy of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim led by Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu-NSCN (IM) presents a mixed picture, viewed through the prism of seven dimensions of organization and leadership, mobilization strategy, time, support, terrain, technology, and the issue of legitimacy.

India and the Threat of Radical Islam

India’s ‘Monroe Doctrine’ and Asia’s Maritime Future

Many scholars assume that the European model of Realpolitik will prevail in Asia as the dual rise of China and India reorders regional politics. Others predict that Asia's China-centric tradition of hierarchy will reassert itself. But Indians look as much to 19th century US history as to any European or Asian model. Indeed, successive prime ministers have explicitly cited the Monroe Doctrine to justify intervention in hotspots around the Indian periphery. The Monroe Doctrine, however, underwent several phases during the USA's rise to world power.

Ethnic Diversity, Autonomy, and Territoriality in Northeast India: A Case of Tribal Autonomy in Assam

Despite the creation of several new states and territorially defined autonomous councils, different tribes in Northeast India continue to demand the creation of new states and autonomous councils. This is because most tribes in the region are under the impression that an adequate share of political power is a necessary condition for retaining their socio-cultural identities and development. Such cultural and developmental aspirations, though legitimate, face rough weather once they become connected with exclusive administrative boundaries for self-governance.

In Search of Peace in Manipur: Lessons from Nagaland

Manipur has witnessed a rise in insurgency-related violence in recent years. Ordinary people are caught in the crossfire between different ethnic insurgent groups and the security forces. This paper examines the ceasefire in neighbouring Nagaland and argues that a similar ceasefire with better monitoring and enforcement could usher in relative peace in Manipur. Since the agreement on suspension of operations with Kuki insurgents is already in force and there is relative calm in Naga areas, an offer of a ceasefire to all groups is likely to bring down violence

Nehru’s Concept of Indian Defence

No aspect of Jawaharlal Nehru's policies and leadership came under as severe an attack as those on defence. Unfortunately till this day no scholastic appraisal of the policy he pursued in regard to national security is available and it is a great pity that the Government has not encouraged such a study. We have had a host of publications by foreigners, retired Indian Army officers, retired civil servants, journalists, academicians and politicians which are generally critical of Jawaharlal Nehru's defence policy. The bias in these works is all too obvious. Shri B.N.

Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System: Issues and Challenges

Implementation of high-tech solutions without adequately trained personnel is unlikely to help the Border Security Force achieve the goal of foolproof border surveillance.

Pushpita Das
October 04, 2017
Issue Brief

Barcelona Attacks: India has Cause for Disquiet

It is perhaps time to regulate incendiary sermons which radicalise vulnerable sections of society.

Prabha Rao
September 12, 2017
Issue Brief

Rohingya Crisis Needs a Regional Solution

The Rohingya crisis is not just Myanmar’s domestic problem but a regional issue and it needs to be tackled at the regional level in a more comprehensive way.

Sampa Kundu
September 08, 2017
IDSA Comments

Marriages of Insurgent Convenience along the Indo-Myanmar Border: A Continuing Challenge

While decades of counterinsurgency operations and peace processes have taken the sting out of the region’s major insurgencies, collaboration between groups continues to pose security challenges, particularly in the exploitable border areas adjacent to the upper Sagaing Region of Northwest Myanmar.

Alex Waterman
August 10, 2017
IDSA Comments

Way Forward to a final Naga Settlement

Maximum autonomy may be accorded in ethnic, cultural and developmental realms to autonomous councils for all Naga areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and even Assam, through suitable amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Gautam Sen
July 31, 2017
IDSA Comments

Are we witnessing the last gasp of terrorism in Kashmir?

The distancing of every segment of Kashmiri politics, population and even separatists from the Amarnath pilgrim attack is a clear indication of anger and frustration building up against senseless acts of terrorism.

Vivek Chadha
July 11, 2017
IDSA Comments

Way Forward on the Gorkhaland Issue

Subject to a political consensus, there may still be some scope for a solution short of a full-fledged Gorkhaland state

Gautam Sen
June 29, 2017
IDSA Comments

Analysing Aadhaar through the Prism of National Security

Though there might be several prevalent concerns over Aadhaar’s data security, these do not outweigh the benefits it has to offer.

Kritika Roy
June 22, 2017
IDSA Comments

St. Petersburg Metro Bombing: Al Qaeda Redux

The Imam Shamil Battalion has claimed responsibility for the April 3 metro bombing in St. Petersburg and conveyed that the attack was retaliation against Russia’s targeting of jihadis in Syria, Libya and Chechnya.