The concept of security has undergone several changes over the years. In this era of globalization, when complex interdependence and enhanced multilateral cooperation should have led to greater coordination and enhanced security, the nation-state is experiencing a sharp decline in its ability to defend its citizens. The sovereign status of the nation-state has been severely dented due to multifarious factors including the forces of globalization. This has drastically undermined the monopoly of the state over the legitimate use of violence. The non-state actors (read terrorists, extremists and militants) have operated with impunity, with the Comity of Nations finding itself helpless against their determination to perpetuate violence.

India has often been called a 'soft state' for its high level of tolerance, which was necessitated by its need to consolidate its nascent nation-state. However, despite India's best efforts to shed this image, terrorists, separatist and fissiparous forces are still finding ways to strike at will. Amidst all this, those who have abetted and supported terrorism in India are also beginning to face the same risks and threats to their security. Today, terrorist attacks have become one of the biggest challenges to India's internal security, with serious implications for its security architecture.

The serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, train bombings, street bombings, the attack on Parliament and other such incidents have forced India to do some serious thinking about the ways to deal with such threats. While efforts have been made to deal with the root cause of the problem, particularly those stemming from lopsided economic development and high levels of poverty, experience says that under-development is not the only reason for this problem. After all, the western countries including the United States and the United Kingdom have also suffered at the hands of terrorists despite high levels of development. Therefore, one needs to look at and deal with terrorism differently.

India should try to address the basic reasons that are at the root of terrorism and find a lasting solution through socio-economic and politico-diplomatic means. The proxy war waged against India has been going on for too long and it should not be allowed to disturb India's peaceful existence and well-being.

Against this background, today we need a multi-pronged strategy to deal with such threats on the ground. Efforts should be made to initiate a dialogue with terrorist groups in order to bring them to the negotiating table to redress their developmental grievances through special initiatives and coordinated action. However, it is more important to include civil society in the overall strategy to tackle such threats. Since the threats are unconventional, the response also has to be innovative. This requires a certain degree of alertness in the people so that they can aid the state in its security efforts.

India's national security apparatus needs to further train and equip the police and paramilitary forces and with better incentives thrown in to attract more competent people to join the forces. India also needs to harness the services of agencies, such as the National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme and Civil Defense Wings. There is a need, also to find, create and include more such groups in the security infrastructure. The members of the civil society should also be made to participate in this overall strategy. Special awareness and training programmes may be organized to make them an integral part of the security machine. Everyone needs to understand that with the country being insecure, they can never be secure either.

Besides, India needs to enhance its capabilities to detect and prevent such threats. Simple and inexpensive security measures like the installation of x-ray scan machines and close-circuit cameras coupled with regular checking with metal-detectors should be made compulsory at all the railway stations, bus terminals, important private and government offices as well as important and crowded thoroughfares and locations.. While the costs involved in all this may seem prohibitive to begin with, they are trifling when compared to the potential threats to the lives and property of our nation. With threats of terrorism and their unpredictability growing with each passing day, this seems the only way by which such threats can be tackled in future. Therefore, before the push comes to shove, India needs to actually get going and try all the measures as suggested above.

Note: The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect those of the Government.