Traditional security (TS) issues like the defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity of a state or nation centric. TS puts a focus on instrument of states like the military to defend the interest of a state. In recent years the concept of human security has been propounded. The UN Development Programme comes up with an annual human development index.
The concept of Non-Traditional Security (NTS) flows from the concept of human security which emphases the security of the individual. The 2004 report of the UN Secretary General’s panel identified six clusters of NTS issues. These included: human rights, trafficking, genocide, disasters, terrorism, drugs, migrations, pandemics etc. The concept of NTS has now been broadened. It includes diverse issues such as terrorism, piracy, climate change, organized crime, food, water, energy, gender, cyber and many more. The trend has been to securitize what were earlier developmental issues. This has been criticized on the grounds that securitization leads to ineffective and inadequate approaches to handle security issues.
Despite the conceptual confusion which exists in NTS literatures, it has become common place to emphasize the disruptive impact of NTS issues not only the on wellbeing of individuals but also the on security of states. We have seen the devastating impact of natural and man-made disasters on the security of a country. Organized crime, human trafficking, migrations and terrorism can also weaken the sovereignty of states. The impact of NTS is so high that most states, including the richest ones find themselves helpless in dealing with their immediate and long term impact. We have seen how powerful states like America find themselves helpless in dealing with the deviation, economic losses and the demoralization that sets in after powerful cyclones hit them.
Be that as tit may, the salience of NTS are the security calculus of most states is rising. The international discourse on NTS focuses on both prevention, mitigation and adaptation aspects of NTS. It is generally accepted that dealing with NTS requires cooperation among states.
India and NTS: Polices plans and strategies
India (population 1.3 billion, 20 percent, 1.6 billion by 2050; land area 3 million sq km, 2 percent of global) is vulnerable to NTS in multiple ways. These include:
| NTS Issues | India’s Approach |
|---|---|
| The adverse impact of climate change: sea level rise, coastal erosion, agricultural productivity, extreme weather phenomenon. | National action plan for climate change; wind, solar energy, 160 GWE by 2022, Paris Accord, International Solar Alliance. |
| Food security: feeding the billion plus, agricultural productivity, nutritional etc. | Second largest producer of cereals, grain, fruits and vegetables & dairy milk products. Doubling farmers income, soil health cards, water conservation, agriculture reforms. |
| Water security: water stressed, per capita 1900 liters, down from 5000 in 1947. Will go down to 1100 liters by 2050. | Comprehensive National Water policy, water conservation, watershed management, water recycling, cleaning of rivers. |
| Energy security: heavy reliance on imports, coal & other fossil fuels, about 60 percent of primary energy needs once imported. | Energy conservation, clean technologies, new explorations, acquiring assets abroad, natural gas. |
| Disease, pandemics: increasing incidence of dengue, bird flu, related to weather, pollution. | Strengthening public health, awareness. |
| Terrorism: Major concern, externally sponsored. | Counter-terrorism, international cooperation, law enforcement. |
| Migrations including illegal migration from Bangladesh, Rohingyas, Tibetan, Tamil, Afghans. | Bangladesh border management, rehabilitation, |
| Organized crime and human trafficking | Police, technology, international cooperation, law enforcement |
| Drugs | NCRB, Border management. |
| Natural disasters. | NDMA, NDRF, |
| Cyber | Cyber security policy, foreign cyber security assurance framework. |
| Pollution, air, water, land : Emerging as a major problem | EPCA, NGT, odd even, Graded Response to emergencies; strict environmental laws etc. |
Conclusion
The rise of non-state actors, intra-state wars, environmental degradation and climate change, demographical changes and cyber-conflict pose a greater security threat to the nation-states in the 21st century than armies of other states.
A lot needs to be done. The problems are too big to be resolved immediately. Awareness is important. Prevention is important. International cooperation is important.
