In a strategic reshuffle of one of India’s key advisory bodies, the government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Alok Joshi as its new Chairman. The move comes amid escalating regional tensions and aims to strengthen India’s national security apparatus with a multidisciplinary team of seasoned experts.
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The revamped NSAB now consists of seven members, selected from diverse backgrounds in defense, intelligence, policing, and diplomacy. Joining Alok Joshi on the board are retired senior military officers Air Marshal PM Sinha, former Western Air Commander; Lt Gen AK Singh, former Southern Army Commander; and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. The board also includes two former Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, and retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer B Venkatesh Varma.
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The overhaul of the NSAB is seen as part of a broader effort to enhance the effectiveness of India’s national security decision-making machinery. It follows the 2024 appointment of an Additional National Security Advisor to support the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), signaling the government’s intent to streamline and professionalize strategic policy formulation.
This development comes on the heels of a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, which killed more than two dozen people and was attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups. In response, India suspended provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian carriers. The United States has urged both nations to seek a “responsible solution,” while experts suggest that India’s deepening strategic alignment with Washington could influence its future course of action.
With heightened tensions along the borders with both Pakistan and China, increasing cyber threats, and evolving terrorist risks, the new NSAB’s composition underscores the need for a more integrated and proactive national security strategy. Analysts have welcomed the appointments, emphasizing the board’s potential to offer well-rounded and pragmatic counsel to the Prime Minister on matters of vital importance.
The reconstitution of the NSAB reflects India’s recognition of the complexity of contemporary security challenges and its determination to respond with agility, expertise, and strategic foresight.
