Internal Security

About Centre

The Centre focuses on issues that challenge India’s internal security. Secessionist movements based on ethnic identities in the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir have been contesting the Indian state through violent means for decades. The Left Wing Extremism movement based on Marxist-Leninist ideology is engaged in a struggle to overthrow the democratic structure of the Indian state. Intermittent terrorist attacks perpetrated by foreign and home grown terrorist groups have been disrupting peace and political order in the country. Infiltration, illegal migration, and trafficking of arms and narcotics are not only breaching the country’s international borders but are also aggravating its security situation. The research efforts of the Centre are focused on analysing the trends, patterns, causes, and implications of these threats and challenges, and suggesting policy alternatives. The Centre’s research agenda includes: left wing extremism, insurgencies in the Northeast India, cross border terrorism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, global and national trends in terrorism, management of India’s international borders and security of its coasts.

The Centre also undertakes various projects entrusted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Security Council Secretariat on matters internal security. The Centre has a mix of civilian scholars and officers deputed from the armed forces and central armed police forces.

The Centre has a bilateral agreement to collaborate with the Border Security Forces’ Institute for Border Management and Strategic Studies.

Internal Security in a Multi-Party Federal Polity

Internal threats to national security have assumed centre-stage in the debates on Indian security. They have a pan-Indian presence and are no longer confined to India’s north and north-eastern frontiers.

Untitled
March 17, 2011
Issue Brief

The Complacency Factor in Counter-Insurgency Operations

Complacency and not following procedures led to the ambush that killed eight BSF personnel in Assam.

Terrorism and Electoral Politics in Assam

While the study of electoral politics in the North East explains how democracy can absorb former rebels, it fails to answer the critical question of the victims’ right to justice.

Maoists’ Abduction Tactic

Abduction is a Maoist tactic to arm-twist the government and secure the release of imprisoned comrades as well as make some tactical gains by placing demands that could be projected as pro-people.

P. V. Ramana
February 23, 2011
IDSA Comments

Naga Peace Negotiations and the NSCN (IM)’s Significant Shift in Posture

The NSCN (IM) leadership's acceptance of Indian passports reflects a significant shift from its earlier political posture of an independent sovereign Naga homeland.

Namrata Goswami
February 02, 2011
IDSA Comments

Talks with the ULFA: Beyond Rhetoric to Substance

It is vital that the framework of the talks be informed by the element of inclusiveness based on a ‘problem solving’ approach.

Namrata Goswami
January 10, 2011
IDSA Comments

Defence against Terrorist Attacks: Game Theory can Help

By postulating that the players think ahead not just to their immediate consequences, but also to the others, game theory can provide a framework to think about defending against terrorist attacks.

Sarita Azad
January 03, 2011
IDSA Comments

Examining the Maoist Resurgence in Andhra

The Maoists are trying to cash in on major issues like Telangana to expand their mass base in Andhra from where hail their top leadership.

Uddipan Mukherjee
December 28, 2010
IDSA Comments

Enclaves and Adverse Possessions: Time to deliver on the promise

With a friendly dispensation in Dhaka, it is an opportune moment for India to deliver on its promise to exchange the enclaves and surrender adverse possessions.