Nehru’s Idea of Indian Security

Abstract

Nehru’s vision of Indian security can be understood at three different levels: conceptual, operational and capability. First, at the conceptual level, Nehru did not only identify national security with military threats but located it in a broader perspective by taking cognisance of non-military security threats. Second, at the operational level, notwithstanding the criticism that he received on the issues of Kashmir and China, Nehru managed to handle critical security threats by integrating the princely states into the Union of India. Their independence could have proved to be a perennial security threat because of their location. Apart from this, Goa as a Portuguese colony was another threat to Indian security, which was handled successfully in 1961 under Nehru’s leadership. Third, at the capability level, Nehru’s contribution to Indian national security is tremendous. Nehru was aware that India had to develop its political, economic, technological and military capabilities to secure itself in the comity of nations.