2. India’s National Security Narratives: Scope and Challenges

National security is indispensable for a country’s survival and growth. Although security has been a complex issue in human history, its complexity increases in the contemporary period because of technological developments and the movement of people across the world for diverse reasons. The complexity of security has led to constant thinking and rethinking about the idea of security, its processes, and dynamics. Quite naturally, a country evolves its strategy to secure itself considering the dynamic nature of security. A country searches for resources to strengthen its security. If an external dimension of its security is shared by other countries, resources may be shared by the countries facing the common security challenges. Though ancient India had the understanding that security is paramount for any country, yet miscalculation and the gap in practice made India face external aggression that led to its subjugation. The colonial plunder impoverished the country, which affected the Indian security choices after becoming independent. The 1962 setback made the Indian leadership realise that security of the country is as necessary as economic development. That thinking still resonates. Given the multiplicity of security challenges that India faces, it is important to investigate the nature and scope of these challenges. It is with this objective, the present chapter reengages with the national security narratives of India and in this process, it identifies the major concerns and charts out the ways to effectively engage with them.