Need for national security doctrine, says ex-IAS officer

New Delhi, September 15 

Experts have questioned clubbing of military expenditure as part of the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) laid down by the government.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘additional terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission’, former Haryana cadre IAS officer MG Devasahayam suggested the formation of a national security doctrine through political consensus. 

Such a doctrine should not rely on the prevailing concept of state security, which is archaic, militaristic, monarchic and fear-driven. The Ministry of Defence has argued before the Finance Commission to include defence as part of the SDG, said the former IAS officer, adding that this will have the states to share the financial burden of maintaining and upgrading security apparatus, including buying weapons from global suppliers.

None of the 17 goals under the SDG call for massive security apparatus and buying weapons. In fact, it suggests the reverse — cut back unnecessary defence expenses and spend more on welfare development measures. — TNS