Congress promises to establish CDS, reform NSA office

New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday promised to establish the office of Chief Defence Staff (CDS), provide a statutory basis to the National Security Council (NSC) and the office of National Security Advisor (NSA) as well as re-establish the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) to boost national security.

Making the announcement in its manifesto released on Tuesday for the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress said that the CDS would be the principal adviser to the government on matters relating to defence.

The manifesto said that the aim of providing a statutory basis to the NSC and the office of NSA is that their powers and functions will be defined under the law and both authorities, and the agencies under them, will be accountable to Parliament.

As per the manifesto, the Congress will re-establish the NSAB, provide a statutory basis to the body, appoint experts from different disciplines and ensure that it will function as a permanent, professional advisory body advising the NSC and the government.

It said that the BJP government left the NSAB in limbo between January 2015 and October 2016 and then truncated the body.

Through its manifesto, the Congress also promised to rapidly expand domestic capacity to manufacture defence and security equipment."We will create manufacturing capacities in the public sector and in pre-qualified, security-cleared private sector companies."

According to the manifesto, the Congress will reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the NDA government, and will ensure that defence spending is increased to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

"National security is dependent on a sound defence policy, a sound foreign policy and wise leadership. National security is not enhanced by chest-thumping or exaggerated claims. We will expedite all modernisation programmes of the armed forces in a transparent manner," said the manifesto.

Referring to the concept of national security in the 21st century, which the Congress said, has expanded beyond defence of the territory to include data security, cyber security, financial security, communication security and security of trade routes, the party promised in its manifesto to evolve suitable policies to address each of these subjects.

The Congress also promises to take strategic and hard measures to defend the territorial integrity of India and ensure the safety of people.