Welcome Remarks by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, Book Discussion: “SECURING INDIA – THE MODI WAY”, by Sh. Nitin A Gokhale, 24 November 2017

I would like to welcome Sh Nitin Gokhale, the author of “Securing India – The Modi Way”, to this panel discussion, I also grateful to our panelist Sh Satish Chandra , Gen Ata Hasnain for agreeing to participate in the discussion.

The book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on national security and foreign policies of Modi government. It is based on the author interviews with several knowledgeable persons including the National Security Advisor (NSA) and several key officials. It serves a useful purpose by giving the public a glimpse of how decisions on highly sensitive issues are taken and implemented in the government and its agencies. The author has covered a number of important events, like Surgical Strikes, Pathankot attacks, Doklam, Myanmar etc. that have caught national & international attention in the last few years. The book covers some areas where security and diplomacy intersect.

People know Mr. Modi’s style of leadership in economic and social domain. However, relatively little is known how he deals with national security crises. The author provides some useful hints and insights. The book bring out clearly how PM has built a highly trustworthy and efficient team of national security officials headed by the NSA for national security management. After the Kargil war, the nation undertook a thorough review of national security. Several new structures were created. The jury is still out how these institutions have performed. There is a need to review the performance of National Security Council and the associated structure under PMs leadership.It is hoped the much needed and delayed reforms in the area of defence, diplomacy and internal security can be carried out.

I request the author to introduce his book.