Question

“India has given priority to non-traditional security in the last two decades.” Analyse the statement with examples.

Hint:

To remember how India prioritizes non-traditional security, focus on the acronym S-H-I-E-L-D: Solar Alliance (climate action), Health security (Vaccine Maitri), Infrastructure resilience (CDRI), Economic safety nets (NFSA), and Large-scale Digital defense (NCIIPC).

Answer 1

Step 1: Introduction to India's Strategic Shift:
While India faces complex traditional military challenges along its borders, the country has increasingly recognized that non-traditional security threats—including climate change, pandemics, food insecurity, and cyberattacks—pose a significant threat to its national development. Over the last two decades, India has systematically integrated these non-traditional security challenges into its core strategic planning, domestic policies, and diplomatic initiatives.

Step 2: Leadership in Climate Action and Global Environmental Diplomacy:
India has transformed from a cautious participant into a proactive leader in global climate governance:
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Jointly launched by India and France in 2015, the ISA is a prominent global platform aimed at mobilizing investments in solar energy across solar-rich countries.
• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Launched by India in 2019, this global partnership promotes the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
• Domestic Targets: India committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 at COP26 and has set ambitious targets for transition to renewable energy sources, significantly reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

Step 3: Vaccine Diplomacy and Global Health Security Governance:
During global health crises, India has positioned itself as a key provider of global health security:
• Pharmacy of the World: India is a leading manufacturer of affordable generic drugs and vaccines globally.
• Vaccine Maitri Initiative: During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied over 7 crore vaccine doses to over 90 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, supporting human security in resource-constrained nations.
• Domestic Health Reforms: Initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme (launched in 2018) provide health insurance coverage to over 50 crore vulnerable citizens, strengthening health security at the grassroots level.

Step 4: Ensuring Food and Nutritional Security for Vulnerable Populations:
To protect its population from starvation and economic volatility, India has enacted major policy reforms:
• National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013: This legislation provides legal backing for food security, ensuring subsidized food grains for nearly $67\%$ of the country's population.
• Emergency Social Safety Nets: During global economic shocks, India implemented the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) to provide free food grains to over 80 crore citizens, preventing widespread distress.

Step 5: Defense of Critical National Infrastructure against Cyber Threats:
The rapid digitization of India's economy has made cyber security a key pillar of national security:
• The creation of specialized agencies like the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and the expansion of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) demonstrate India's commitment to protecting its electrical grids, banking systems, and digital identity databases from hostile state and non-state cyber actors.