Contemporary National Security Issues In India

Abstract

National security is indispensable for a country’s survival and growth. Although security has been a complex issue in human history, its complexity has increased in the contemporary period because of technological developments, climate change and various other factors. The complexity of security has led to constant thinking and rethinking about the idea of security, its processes, and dynamics. The security environment in India is highly complex and challenging. It is impacted by the external as well as domestic environment. Since its independence India has faced numerous security threats like cross-border infiltration, terrorism, insurgencies, organized crimes, human trafficking, drug trafficking, the inflow of refugees, interstate disputes, rising intolerance between the castes and religious communities, dwindling economic development, right and left-wing militancy, rising scarcity of water resources, increasing unemployment, corruption, riots between religious communities etc. Other emerging threats include cyber-crimes such as hacking and online attacks, financial fraud, data theft, espionage etc. Given the multiplicity of security challenges that India faces, it is important to investigate the nature and scope of these challenges. This paper focuses on the contemporary challenges to national security and their possible remedy.