Nepal's National Security Strategy
A nation has security, "When it does not have to sacrifice its legitimate interests to avoid war, and is able, if challenged, to maintain them by war"
-Walter Lippmann
"A country's need for security never changes … what changes are the ways in which the state tries to arrange this guarantee".
–Jose T Almonte (NSA, Philippines, 1994)
Defining National Security
The objective of national security is to sustain freedom from foreign dictation and to improve living standards of the people. Conventionally security pertains to protection of territorial integrity and political independence from external attack. According to Wolfers, security rises and falls with the ability of a nation to deter an attack or to defeat it (Maniruzzaman: 16). Security is the sum total of all the vital interest of the state. As Walter Lippman writes- 'a nation is secure to the extent to which it is not in danger of having to sacrifice core values, if it wishes to avoid war, and is able, if challenged, to maintain them by victory in such a war'. (Maniruzzaman 15).
(Comprehensive) security is to protect vital interests (core values) from internal and external threats. These core values can vary depending on internal and external circumstances. They would include military security, territorial integrity, economic viability and national political stability. (Yamamoto, quoted in Rolf)).
As illustrated by Robert McNamara security and development are intrinsically linked. Security means development, security is not military hardware, though it may involve it, security is not traditional military activity, though it may encompass it, security is development and without development there can be no security.
The Palme Commission's report, Common Security: A Blueprint for Survival also viewed "security" as a multidimensional concept- that security must be conceived in broad terms to include economic issues as well as military threats. It stressed the linkage between common security and common prosperity (Capie, Paul 60)
In the context of Nepal National Security is to protect core values such as survivability of nation-state, political stability, economic development, protection of human rights, maintenance of peace and security, preservation of environment, and energy security.
National Security Strategy may be defined as the art and science of employing the nation's intellectual, political, economic and military power to achieve stated national security objective in peace and war. National Defence Policy is the military component of the national security strategy in dealing with external military threats and challenges.
Nepal's security concept must seek to protect territorial integrity, human security, maintain domestic stability and achieve sustained economic growth for prosperity. Collapse of 'Twin Pillar' political power structure, inclusion of Maoists in the government and emergence of several new armed groups, secularism, ongoing ethnicity-based movement for autonomy and federalism, and growing external interference have changed the mindset of the people thereby influencing the state institutions to change the concept of national security.
Nepal's new security concept should be comprehensive in nature and should lay emphasis on survivability of Nepal as nation-state (territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty), addressing non-traditional aspect of security and achieving economic prosperity (economic development), protecting environment and adopting pragmatic diplomacy to further national interests based on Panchasheel, non-alignment, and charter of the UN.
Nepal's National Security Interests and Objectives
Core Values
Values represent the cultural norms of the society or are derived from them, and have a deep and firm grip on the individual and the society in terms of attitude and behavior. Core values of a society or a nation are most cherished and on which its entire structure is founded. No doubt values are the collective will of the people yet the pluralistic nature of our society may accord different priorities on these values. The survival of the nation as a sovereign and democratic entity, a national unity, prosperity, equality, freedom, social and religious tolerance and an honorable place in the international community are the values of Nepalese people.
National Security Objectives
National interests and objectives establish a nation's strategic requirement. Policies provide guiding rules for satisfying them. The National Strategies integrates all elements of national power to achieve national interests and objectives, both during peace and war. Following are Core National Security Objectives of a nation-state:-
· To protect territorial integrity.
· To preserve political independence and sovereignty.
· To achieve economic development.
· To protect/promote democracy and ensure human security.
Interim Constitution of Nepal-2063, in its directive principles (article 34) has mentioned following as National Objectives of Nepal:-
· To preserve sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom.
· To institutionalize democracy.
· To preserve people's life, property, equality and freedom.
· To maintain social harmony among different caste, race, religion, language, color, and community to establish and develop healthy society.
· To achieve economic development.
· To maintain peace and tranquility by preserving and fostering human rights.
Our most fundamental goal is survival as a nation-state and to achieve economic development in a stable democratic environment. To achieve these objectives Nepal must develop an appropriate national strategy. National Strategy constitutes a sustained effort to achieve both national interests and national objectives. (Korea 6).
National Interests
To simply define, national interests are expressions of a country's values projected into the international and domestic arenas. National interests are a nation's perceived needs and aspirations in relation to regional and international environment. On the other hand what is good for the nation as a whole in domestic affairs are called public interests. However, the term national interest is loosely used to encompass both. National interest are generally graded on a four- tier scale of priorities-
- Vital interests – the most basic interest, deals with the very existence of a nation, invariably require immediate attention, no compromise with survival interests. All other interests can and do change from time to time. If certain interest is declared as vital, it must be backed up by military power. Therefore, the nation must be ready to fight a war in case the vital interests are threatened.
- Most Important Interests- if not duly safeguarded have the potential to result in serious harm to the security and well being of the nation. For third world countries like Nepal such interests may include the economic prosperity, communal harmony, national integration and resolution of a dispute with neighboring states.
- Important Interests- These include those national interests, which affect national well being of a nation. If these are unfulfilled it will result in damage that is unlikely to affect vital national interests. Important interests require a serious approach but can be handled through negotiation and accommodative attitude based on give and take.
-Peripheral interests- Do not pose any threat to sovereignty. If these are unfulfilled, it will result in damage that is unlikely to affect vital national interests.
National interest can also be categorized as vital interests (protection of homeland), critical interests (do not directly pose a threat to homeland) and serious interests (do not critically affect first and second category yet cast some shadow over such interests). (Sarkesian, John and Stephan 5-6). The four basic national interests of nation-state are as follows:-
- Defence of homeland- It refers to 'protection against attack on the territory and people of the nation.
- Economic well-being.
- Favorable regional / world order.
- Promotion of values.
National Security Strategy Development
Retrospective Analysis
Looking back to Nepal's NSS over the last 240 years we find that during the first 47 years between 1769-1816AD it was dominated by military unification campaign backed by active diplomatic maneuver that had successfully united more than fifty principalities into present day Nepal. During the 104-year (1846-1951) Rana Regime, Nepal contributed troops for its own (regime) security during World War I, II and to suppress Indian mutiny. Rana regime also signed Treaty of Friendship with independent India in 1950 basically for the same purpose. Rana regime also adopted a policy of isolationism from rest of the world. The notion of "yam between two boulders" has remained the guiding principle of Nepal's foreign policy and locus of survival. Diversification of diplomatic relation gained momentum only after 1951 AD.
Nepal has waged war against Tibet in 1788 and 1789 AD for the protection of Nepal's economic interests in Tibet. Nepal's 1st military intervention in Tibet was launched in 1788 AD on the issue of fixing exchange rate between new silver-coin and the old mixed-coin. Nepal's 2nd military intervention was in 1789 in a retaliatory move against noncompliance with the provision of Kerung Treaty signed on July 19, 1789. As per the treaty, Tibet was supposed to pay Rs 50,000 per year to Nepal. (Chung 40-90)
In 1985, the Panchayati government then formulated National Security Policy known as Rastriya Mulnity which had included policies on political, religious, social, economic, population, information, decentralization, foreign and defense.
When it came to dealing with the decade long insurgency, the state was divided and demonstrated lack of genuine will and ability to mobilize all elements of national power including economic, social, political, military and informational despite the fact that international community and people in general were supportive. The government tried to resolve it only through military means. Seemingly, all the instruments of national power did not have common understanding and approaches to national security.
Nepal doesn't seem to have an official National Strategy. However, speeches made by the Head of State and the Government on national and international forums and budget speeches have given policies and strategies for the country to move ahead.
Democratic government after 1990 adopted 'twin pillar' concept of multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy, and liberal economic policy. As a result of violent conflict in Nepal, National security has been an issue of increasing public concern today. The people have started to voice their concern on national security in relation to the armed conflicts. (Dhungel 3). Traditionally, it has remained with in the exclusive domain of the state.
The Maoist insurgency, started after six years of restoration of multiparty democracy had gradually weakened democratic institutions of the country. Thus functional and accountable democracy is significant for elimination of root causes of internal threats. "The attainment of domestic security and peace is dependent on the institution of a political system in which all groups can expect justice". (Alagappa 245).
Appendix A
Appendix B
National Security Council of Nepal
(Recommended)
Appendix C
Models of Policy / Strategy Planning Process
Academic Model
Advanced Model of Policy Evolution Process
Appendix C
Demand for,
2