Ex-RAW Chief Alok Joshi Appointed Head of Revamped National Security Board

Amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has overhauled its National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). The former chief of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Alok Joshi, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the NSAB. This restructuring, driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to enhance the nation’s security framework, with a focus on addressing the recent wave of terror attacks and bolstering India’s security response.

Why in the news?

This development comes in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and heightened tensions with Pakistan. The Indian government has restructured the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) to strengthen national security and implement a broader recalibration of security strategies.

Purpose

• The primary purpose of revamping the NSAB is to strengthen India’s security response amidst growing threats, particularly from Pakistan, and to oversee critical decisions regarding national security strategy in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Aim

• The board is tasked with advising the government on enhancing national security, offering strategic insights on military, intelligence, and diplomatic matters, and implementing effective responses to recent terror attacks.

Significance

• This restructuring comes at a critical time for national security, as the country faces escalating tensions with Pakistan.
• The move signals India’s commitment to reassessing and recalibrating its security posture, ensuring stronger measures to counter terrorism and enhance defense strategies.
• This shift also highlights the importance of a cohesive national security approach involving various sectors like defense, intelligence, and foreign policy.

Background

• Historically, the NSAB has played a significant role in advising the government on matters related to national security.
• The revamping of the board follows the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, reigniting concerns over the vulnerability of citizens to cross-border terrorism.
• The government’s review of the Indus Waters Treaty and reactivation of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs underscore the urgency of the situation.

Important Details

• Alok Joshi, ex-R&AW chief, appointed Chairman of NSAB
• The new board includes senior officers from various sectors:
• Air Marshal PM Sinha (former Western Air Commander)
• Lt Gen AK Singh (former Southern Army Commander)
• Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (armed forces)
• Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh (retired officers from the Indian Police Service)
• B Venkatesh Varma (retired Indian Foreign Service officer)
• The reconstituted board will provide strategic security advice, with an emphasis on immediate national security threats and broader defense strategies.