GoM for new security setup

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 23. An inter-ministerial group on defence reforms has recommended a new national security architecture in which the role of defence forces in policy formulation has been enhanced.

Releasing the report on reforming the national security system, the Group of Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, recommended the formation of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as the tri-service administrative head of the nuclear forces as well as the Government's principal military adviser.

According to the report, the CDS will form the key interface between the Prime Minister and the commander of the ``strategic forces''. The strategic forces, analysts say, will comprise air, land and sea-based platforms for delivering nuclear weapons. India's draft nuclear doctrine envisages establishing a small air, land and sea-based nuclear arsenal, sufficient to deter an enemy attack by atomic weapons.

The CDS will also head the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar command. Sources said this command would mainly focus on the Bay of Bengal area, especially to ensure an uninterrupted flow of commercial shipping towards the strategic Malacca Straits. The GoM has also recommended the formation of a marine police in the coastal areas including the island territories.

The CDS will be assisted by a Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff. The VCDS will perform the ``think-tank'' role of strategic planning in the light of a 15-20 year defence perspective plan to be drawn by a cell headed by the Defence Secretary. Inputs may also be received from a National Defence University, proposed to be set up at a later date.

The VCDS will be the hub for prioritising procurement decisions for the three services. He will also be on the Defence Procurement Board, which in turn will integrate decisions related to military purchases and will be steered by a Special Secretary (procurement). Procurement decisions may also be influenced by the recommendations of a special unit in the Defence Ministry which will scan the international market for military products.

The CDS, according to the report, will be assisted by an integrated tri-service Defence Intelligence Agency. The head of the DIA will also be represented in the apex Intelligence Coordinating Group. The ICG, on its part, will play a ``watch- dog'' role over the entire national intelligence machinery and will be empowered to prioritise intelligence gathering and dissemination.

The report has made sweeping recommendations to enhance border security and surveillance. For instance, it lays special emphasis on deploying the Indo-Tibetan Border Police along the sensitive border with Nepal. Emphasising specialisation, it recommends that the Border Security Force focus mainly on border management. It should be reorganised as an administratively distinct BSF (East) and BSF (West). The BSF should be given charge of the troubled Indo-Bhutan border which has become vulnerable on account of cross-border infiltrations by the north-east insurgents.

The Indo-Myanmar border should be the prime responsibility of the Assam Rifles. A new road along the entire Indo-Myanmar border needed to be opened and an effort was required to resolve the differences between the two countries on the boundary alignment in the Molcham area.

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