The Modi government is demonstrating an unusual, though welcome, urgency in pursuing a revamp of the national security apparatus. Under the chairmanship of the National Security Adviser, the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) has been revived to assist the National Security Council in moving forward with a long-term strategic defence review. 
 
The SPG, whose members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defence secretary, will now be the central instrumentality for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of inputs in forming national security policies. It was set up by the AB Vajpayee government in 1999 but was earlier headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Now the power shifts to the NSA, making an already powerful office even more potent. 
 
The NSA is now joined by three deputies at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) with responsibilities spanning across three distinct domains. RN Ravi, a former head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, was recently appointed the third deputy national security adviser, joining former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna and former ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran at the NSCS.

These changes come months after the Narendra Modi government decided to establish an overarching defence planning committee (DPC) —comprising the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, three service chiefs, the defence, expenditure and foreign secretaries — under the national security adviser to enhance India’s ability to do some long-term strategising. The Prime Minister recently also gave the go-ahead for the formation of the three tri-services agencies—for cyber, space, and special operations across the three armed forces.

This revamp comes at a time when Indian national security planning stands at a crossroads. The silo-driven approach to national security has resulted in the lack of an integrated view. The three services, as well as the civilian and defence agencies, are often seen to be working at cross-purposes. Such an ad hoc approach has meant that more often than not, issues like threat perception and force structure are not managed via a centralised and authoritative overview. Instead, individual services tend to be driving the agenda at their own levels.

The headlines on Indian defence policy often tend to be completely divorced from the ground reality. India’s $250-billion military modernisation programme is often talked about. But even as New Delhi remains keen on acquiring significant weapons platforms, there have been persistent doubts about its ability to harness these resources in service of a long-term strategy. Indeed, the absence of an Indian “grand strategy” that sets out political objectives for Indian power projection—and then ensures military, economic, intelligence and educational development—coordinated toward these objectives, has been a perennial topic of discussion within Indian strategic circles.

India’s defence reform campaign has existed nearly as long as the current system itself. This drive focuses on extending resource integration and coordination throughout defence policymaking. Effective defence planning and force structuring is a function of an institutional framework that allows for a clear delineation of political goals, efficient mobilisation of resources and effective use of these resources for developing instrumentalities of state power. At a time when advances in technology are revolutionizing warfare, India is still debating the need to move towards leaner force structures.&nbsp;

India needs to cut the flab on an urgent basis as over half of the annual defence budget going to meet salary and pension requirements is clearly not sustainable. The priorities of India’s ‘Make In India’ initiative and cumbersome defence procurement process will also have to be brought in sync with each other.

India’s status as the world’s largest arms importer hardly does justice to its ambitions to emerge as a defence manufacturing hub. The debate on integration, both among the services headquarters, and between the services and the ministry of defence, also continues unabated and should be concluded. The central challenge in defence planning remains the issue of uncertainty. Effective defence planning tends to put a premium on assuring future strategic and operational adaptiveness.&nbsp;

In the Indian context, a transformative shift in mindset, structures and processes is needed. Rapidly evolving security environment, as well as a near permanent pressure on scarce resources, underscores the need for strategic defence planning.

Though rather late in its term, the Modi government has begun a process of streamlining national security planning. It is not perfect but the fact that changes are being made underlines the fact that policymakers recognise the gravity of the challenge they face. It can only be hoped that the drumbeat of impending elections would not take away the focus from the critical area. After all, governments may come and go but the imperatives of national security will remain. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-modi-govt-streamlining-national-security-planning-2676086">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Modi government is demonstrating an unusual, though welcome, urgency in pursuing a revamp of the national security apparatus. Under the chairmanship of the National Security Adviser, the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) has been revived to assist the National Security Council in moving forward with a long-term strategic defence review.

The Modi government is demonstrating an unusual, though welcome, urgency in pursuing a revamp of the national security apparatus. Under the chairmanship of the National Security Adviser, the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) has been revived to assist the National Security Council in moving forward with a long-term strategic defence review. The SPG, whose members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defence secretary, will now be the central instrumentality for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of inputs in forming national security policies. It was set up by the AB Vajpayee government in 1999 but was earlier headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Now the power shifts to the NSA, making an already powerful office even more potent. The NSA is now joined by three deputies at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) with responsibilities spanning across three distinct domains. RN Ravi, a former head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, was recently appointed the third deputy national security adviser, joining former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna and former ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran at the NSCS. These changes come months after the Narendra Modi government decided to establish an overarching defence planning committee (DPC) —comprising the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, three service chiefs, the defence, expenditure and foreign secretaries — under the national security adviser to enhance India’s ability to do some long-term strategising. The Prime Minister recently also gave the go-ahead for the formation of the three tri-services agencies—for cyber, space, and special operations across the three armed forces. This revamp comes at a time when Indian national security planning stands at a crossroads. The silo-driven approach to national security has resulted in the lack of an integrated view. The three services, as well as the civilian and defence agencies, are often seen to be working at cross-purposes. Such an ad hoc approach has meant that more often than not, issues like threat perception and force structure are not managed via a centralised and authoritative overview. Instead, individual services tend to be driving the agenda at their own levels. The headlines on Indian defence policy often tend to be completely divorced from the ground reality. India’s $250-billion military modernisation programme is often talked about. But even as New Delhi remains keen on acquiring significant weapons platforms, there have been persistent doubts about its ability to harness these resources in service of a long-term strategy. Indeed, the absence of an Indian “grand strategy” that sets out political objectives for Indian power projection—and then ensures military, economic, intelligence and educational development—coordinated toward these objectives, has been a perennial topic of discussion within Indian strategic circles. India’s defence reform campaign has existed nearly as long as the current system itself. This drive focuses on extending resource integration and coordination throughout defence policymaking. Effective defence planning and force structuring is a function of an institutional framework that allows for a clear delineation of political goals, efficient mobilisation of resources and effective use of these resources for developing instrumentalities of state power. At a time when advances in technology are revolutionizing warfare, India is still debating the need to move towards leaner force structures. India needs to cut the flab on an urgent basis as over half of the annual defence budget going to meet salary and pension requirements is clearly not sustainable. The priorities of India’s ‘Make In India’ initiative and cumbersome defence procurement process will also have to be brought in sync with each other. India’s status as the world’s largest arms importer hardly does justice to its ambitions to emerge as a defence manufacturing hub. The debate on integration, both among the services headquarters, and between the services and the ministry of defence, also continues unabated and should be concluded. The central challenge in defence planning remains the issue of uncertainty. Effective defence planning tends to put a premium on assuring future strategic and operational adaptiveness. In the Indian context, a transformative shift in mindset, structures and processes is needed. Rapidly evolving security environment, as well as a near permanent pressure on scarce resources, underscores the need for strategic defence planning. Though rather late in its term, the Modi government has begun a process of streamlining national security planning. It is not perfect but the fact that changes are being made underlines the fact that policymakers recognise the gravity of the challenge they face. It can only be hoped that the drumbeat of impending elections would not take away the focus from the critical area. After all, governments may come and go but the imperatives of national security will remain. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Modi government streamlining national security planning

Hong Kong on Monday banned a political party which promotes independence, calling it a threat to national security, as Beijing clamps down on &nbsp;challenges to its sovereignty.

It was the first ban on a political party since the city was handed back to China by Britain 21 years ago. The foreign ministry in London expressed concern at the move.&nbsp;

Semi-autonomous Hong Kong enjoys freedoms unseen on the mainland, including freedom of expression. But the space for dissent is shrinking in the face of an increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping.

Hong Kong's security minister John Lee said he had upheld a police request to ban the Hong Kong National Party "in the interest of national security, public safety, public order, and the protection of rights and freedom of others".

HKNP is a well-known but tiny group with a core membership of only around a dozen.

Lee told reporters the party "has a very clear agenda to achieve its goal of Hong Kong being made an independent republic", saying that contravened the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Lee said the party had tried to infiltrate schools and had spread "hatred and discrimination" against mainland Chinese people in Hong Kong.

HKNP had also said it would not stop at force, Lee added, but he conceded it had never committed violence and that its leader Andy Chan had advocated non-violence.&nbsp;

Chan had no immediately comment on the decision.&nbsp;

Britain's Foreign Office (ministry)said in a statement it was "concerned" at the move, noting it was the first such ban since the handover.

"The UK does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected," it added.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch called the ban "a milestone in the Beijing and Hong Kong governments' assault on Hong Kong's freedoms".

Lee's justification that the move was pre-emptive, even though the group had not committed violent acts, set a "dangerous precedent" that could see more pro-democracy groups banned, said HRW's senior China researcher Maya Wang.

Crackdown on dissent

Police requested the party ban in July under the Societies Ordinance, which stipulates groups can be prohibited in the interests of national security and public safety.

The bid was slammed by rights groups.

Activists calling for Hong Kong's independence from China emerged after mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 failed to win reforms.

But pro-independence campaigners including Chan have since been blocked from standing for office, and others disqualified from the legislature.

Leading independence activist Edward Leung was jailed for six years in June on rioting charges after clashes with police in 2016.

HKNP has lost momentum over the past two years as the government seeks to muzzle pro-independence sentiment.

However, the party was back in the headlines after police sought the ban. Chan later gave a high-profile talk at the city's press club which Chinese authorities demanded should be cancelled.

Chan described Beijing as Hong Kong's "colonial master" in his speech to a packed audience at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in August.

China's ministry of foreign affairs had asked the FCC to cancel the talk but it refused, arguing that different views should be heard in any debate.

The Hong Kong government said that while it supported freedom of speech and the press, allowing Chan to speak contravened the city's mini-constitution.

Hong Kong on Monday banned a political party which promotes independence, calling it a threat to national security, as Beijing clamps down on challenges to its sovereignty.

Hong Kong on Monday banned a political party which promotes independence, calling it a threat to national security, as Beijing clamps down on challenges to its sovereignty. It was the first ban on a political party since the city was handed back to China by Britain 21 years ago. The foreign ministry in London expressed concern at the move. Semi-autonomous Hong Kong enjoys freedoms unseen on the mainland, including freedom of expression. But the space for dissent is shrinking in the face of an increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping. Hong Kong's security minister John Lee said he had upheld a police request to ban the Hong Kong National Party "in the interest of national security, public safety, public order, and the protection of rights and freedom of others". HKNP is a well-known but tiny group with a core membership of only around a dozen. Lee told reporters the party "has a very clear agenda to achieve its goal of Hong Kong being made an independent republic", saying that contravened the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Lee said the party had tried to infiltrate schools and had spread "hatred and discrimination" against mainland Chinese people in Hong Kong. HKNP had also said it would not stop at force, Lee added, but he conceded it had never committed violence and that its leader Andy Chan had advocated non-violence. Chan had no immediately comment on the decision. Britain's Foreign Office (ministry)said in a statement it was "concerned" at the move, noting it was the first such ban since the handover. "The UK does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected," it added. Human Rights Watch called the ban "a milestone in the Beijing and Hong Kong governments' assault on Hong Kong's freedoms". Lee's justification that the move was pre-emptive, even though the group had not committed violent acts, set a "dangerous precedent" that could see more pro-democracy groups banned, said HRW's senior China researcher Maya Wang. Crackdown on dissent Police requested the party ban in July under the Societies Ordinance, which stipulates groups can be prohibited in the interests of national security and public safety. The bid was slammed by rights groups. Activists calling for Hong Kong's independence from China emerged after mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 failed to win reforms. But pro-independence campaigners including Chan have since been blocked from standing for office, and others disqualified from the legislature. Leading independence activist Edward Leung was jailed for six years in June on rioting charges after clashes with police in 2016. HKNP has lost momentum over the past two years as the government seeks to muzzle pro-independence sentiment. However, the party was back in the headlines after police sought the ban. Chan later gave a high-profile talk at the city's press club which Chinese authorities demanded should be cancelled. Chan described Beijing as Hong Kong's "colonial master" in his speech to a packed audience at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in August. China's ministry of foreign affairs had asked the FCC to cancel the talk but it refused, arguing that different views should be heard in any debate. The Hong Kong government said that while it supported freedom of speech and the press, allowing Chan to speak contravened the city's mini-constitution.

Hong Kong bans pro-independence party over 'national security' fears

Citing national security concerns, US President Donald Trump's administration is working on a fresh plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants, a move critics say is unnecessary and will drive up energy costs.&nbsp;

The new move comes months after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission terminated an earlier proposal to provide federal aid to the troubled sectors, claiming it was needed to strengthen the resilience of the national grid.

The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable.

But&nbsp;on Friday, the White House said it was working on a new plan.

"Keeping America's energy grid and infrastructure strong and secure protects our national security, public safety and economy from intentional attacks and natural disasters," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities are leading to a rapid depletion of a critical part of our nation's energy mix and impacting the resilience of our power grid."

Sanders said Trump had ordered Energy Secretary Rick Perry to prepare "immediate steps to stop the loss of these resources."

The statement did not provide further details, but a Wall Street Journal report said the new plan would force grid operators to take the electricity produced by coal and nuclear plants.

Grid operator PJM criticized the announcement, saying there was "no need for any such drastic action."

"Any federal intervention in the market to order customers to buy electricity from specific power plants would be damaging to the markets and therefore costly to consumers," it added.

Christopher Mansour, of the Solar Energy Industries Association, added: "A policy to spend billions of dollars keeping uneconomic power plants afloat, while trying to put clean and affordable solar on the sidelines, is not a recipe for economic success."

Both coal and nuclear have seen their share of the energy market diminish in recent years, losing out to oil, natural gas and renewables.

There are currently only two nuclear reactors under construction in the US, in addition to the 99 in service. Coal is also facing a crisis, and Trump made reversing its decline a major campaign pledge.

The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable

Citing national security concerns, US President Donald Trump's administration is working on a fresh plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants, a move critics say is unnecessary and will drive up energy costs. The new move comes months after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission terminated an earlier proposal to provide federal aid to the troubled sectors, claiming it was needed to strengthen the resilience of the national grid. The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable. But on Friday, the White House said it was working on a new plan. "Keeping America's energy grid and infrastructure strong and secure protects our national security, public safety and economy from intentional attacks and natural disasters," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "Unfortunately, impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities are leading to a rapid depletion of a critical part of our nation's energy mix and impacting the resilience of our power grid." Sanders said Trump had ordered Energy Secretary Rick Perry to prepare "immediate steps to stop the loss of these resources." The statement did not provide further details, but a Wall Street Journal report said the new plan would force grid operators to take the electricity produced by coal and nuclear plants. Grid operator PJM criticized the announcement, saying there was "no need for any such drastic action." "Any federal intervention in the market to order customers to buy electricity from specific power plants would be damaging to the markets and therefore costly to consumers," it added. Christopher Mansour, of the Solar Energy Industries Association, added: "A policy to spend billions of dollars keeping uneconomic power plants afloat, while trying to put clean and affordable solar on the sidelines, is not a recipe for economic success." Both coal and nuclear have seen their share of the energy market diminish in recent years, losing out to oil, natural gas and renewables. There are currently only two nuclear reactors under construction in the US, in addition to the 99 in service. Coal is also facing a crisis, and Trump made reversing its decline a major campaign pledge.

Trump readies new plan to aid coal and nuclear power

An international conference held in Kathmandu has urged all South Asian countries to review national security and counter-terrorism laws to ensure they do not infringe on fundamental rights.

Representatives from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh among others participated the conference themed "Addressing Impunity and Realising Human Rights in South Asia" which concluded yesterday.

The conference unanimously adopted the Kathmandu Declaration which stresses on the need for collaboration between NHRIs, as well as their collaboration with civil society, in addressing issues related to conflict.

It also urged all states in the South Asia to review national security and counter-terrorism laws and policies so that they are in compliance with constitutional and international norms and standards, ensure that they do not infringe on fundamental rights.

It also called non-state actors to be accountable for gross human rights abuses, even if they are approved and backed by civilian stakeholder communities, keeping in mind that the state response must always be proportionate and respect human rights, a statement said.

The conference stressed on the right of freedom of movement, including migration in search of employment.

It recognised the economic benefits of migrant labour to destination and origin countries alike and encouraged cooperation between origin and destination countries to ensure that the rights of migrants, particularly women, are realised.

It has also underlined the need for promoting active cooperation between NHRIs of the South Asia region in order to support each other through exchange of information on a regular basis to share challenges.

Representatives from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh among others participated the conference themed "Addressing Impunity and Realising Human Rights in South Asia" which concluded Friday

An international conference held in Kathmandu has urged all South Asian countries to review national security and counter-terrorism laws to ensure they do not infringe on fundamental rights. Representatives from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh among others participated the conference themed "Addressing Impunity and Realising Human Rights in South Asia" which concluded yesterday. The conference unanimously adopted the Kathmandu Declaration which stresses on the need for collaboration between NHRIs, as well as their collaboration with civil society, in addressing issues related to conflict. It also urged all states in the South Asia to review national security and counter-terrorism laws and policies so that they are in compliance with constitutional and international norms and standards, ensure that they do not infringe on fundamental rights. It also called non-state actors to be accountable for gross human rights abuses, even if they are approved and backed by civilian stakeholder communities, keeping in mind that the state response must always be proportionate and respect human rights, a statement said. The conference stressed on the right of freedom of movement, including migration in search of employment. It recognised the economic benefits of migrant labour to destination and origin countries alike and encouraged cooperation between origin and destination countries to ensure that the rights of migrants, particularly women, are realised. It has also underlined the need for promoting active cooperation between NHRIs of the South Asia region in order to support each other through exchange of information on a regular basis to share challenges.

South Asian countries urged to review security laws

Singapore on Wednesday began a public hearing on how to tackle the threat of fake news, with speakers suggesting measures ranging from blocking websites to balancing the interests of national security and free speech.

The wealthy city state is among the countries looking to introduce legislation to rein in fake news, a trend that has stirred concern that such laws could be used to exert government control over media.

A panel set up to consider possible measures, including legislation, drew 164 written responses from the public, a record for reactions to such a committee on any issue.

&quot;Often times, and understandably so, there are worries about how it may stifle the freedom of speech,&quot; Carol Soon, a specialist in communications and new media at the National University of Singapore, said of legislation.

There should be &quot;fine balancing of the interests of protecting national security and public order and the interests of enabling people to speak up and have meaningful discussion pertaining to governance&quot;, she added.

She was among 79 people asked to speak in parliament over the eight days set for the hearing, which would make it the longest in Singapore&#39;s history.

Many of the examples of fake news cited in a Singapore government paper on deliberate online falsehoods published in January came from abroad.

However, the government said Singapore was vulnerable because of its position as a global financial hub, its mixed ethnic and religious population and citizens&#39; widespread internet access.

Singapore, which ranks 151 among 180 countries rated in the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders, a non-government group that promotes freedom of information.

&quot;Deliberate online falsehoods are a serious global problem,&quot; panel chairman Charles Chong, the deputy speaker of parliament, said at the start of the hearing, adding that they affected Singapore in many different ways.

Other speakers urged the Singapore panel to take firm action against fake news.

Mathew Mathews, a social policy researcher at the National University of Singapore, proposed that the government &quot;stop the access of the local population to media sites which feature deliberate online falsehoods that threaten Singapore&#39;s social harmony&quot;.

Others felt such action would be ineffective.

&quot;It is no longer possible to stop &#39;fake news&#39; simply by blocking websites or publications because social media utilises person-to-person sharing,&quot; said Andre Ahchak, communications director in the office of Singapore&#39;s Roman Catholic archbishop.

Foreign entities, such as the European Values Think-Tank and the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, are due to make presentations later in the week.

The wealthy city state is among the countries looking to introduce legislation to rein in fake news

Singapore on Wednesday began a public hearing on how to tackle the threat of fake news, with speakers suggesting measures ranging from blocking websites to balancing the interests of national security and free speech. The wealthy city state is among the countries looking to introduce legislation to rein in fake news, a trend that has stirred concern that such laws could be used to exert government control over media. A panel set up to consider possible measures, including legislation, drew 164 written responses from the public, a record for reactions to such a committee on any issue. "Often times, and understandably so, there are worries about how it may stifle the freedom of speech," Carol Soon, a specialist in communications and new media at the National University of Singapore, said of legislation. There should be "fine balancing of the interests of protecting national security and public order and the interests of enabling people to speak up and have meaningful discussion pertaining to governance", she added. She was among 79 people asked to speak in parliament over the eight days set for the hearing, which would make it the longest in Singapore's history. Many of the examples of fake news cited in a Singapore government paper on deliberate online falsehoods published in January came from abroad. However, the government said Singapore was vulnerable because of its position as a global financial hub, its mixed ethnic and religious population and citizens' widespread internet access. Singapore, which ranks 151 among 180 countries rated in the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders, a non-government group that promotes freedom of information. "Deliberate online falsehoods are a serious global problem," panel chairman Charles Chong, the deputy speaker of parliament, said at the start of the hearing, adding that they affected Singapore in many different ways. Other speakers urged the Singapore panel to take firm action against fake news. Mathew Mathews, a social policy researcher at the National University of Singapore, proposed that the government "stop the access of the local population to media sites which feature deliberate online falsehoods that threaten Singapore's social harmony". Others felt such action would be ineffective. "It is no longer possible to stop 'fake news' simply by blocking websites or publications because social media utilises person-to-person sharing," said Andre Ahchak, communications director in the office of Singapore's Roman Catholic archbishop. Foreign entities, such as the European Values Think-Tank and the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, are due to make presentations later in the week.

Singapore starts landmark public hearing on fake news

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain, India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh said today that India will completely seal the India-Pakistan border by December 2018.

&nbsp;

Singh made the statement after reviewing the security situation with the interior ministers and senior officials of the four bordering states as Indian media continues to report about ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

&nbsp;

&quot;We will start a new concept called Border Security Grid, and the inputs from all the border states will be taken,&quot; Rajanth&nbsp;was quoted as saying by Indian media.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;This project will be periodically monitored by the&nbsp;home secretary at the central level, Border Security Forces (BSF) from the security forces perspective and chief secretaries at the state level.&quot;

&nbsp;

The two South Asian neighbours have been at loggerheads with each other over the past few weeks. Ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley, September 18 Uri attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers, and Indian Army&#39;s announcement last week&nbsp;that it conducted surgical strikes in Pak-administered Kashmir further fuelled the tension.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Rajnath&nbsp;said that the technology will be also used under the plan. &quot;Like we have riverine and Sir Creek area in Gujarat (a western Indian state), there we will make maximum use of technology for effective sealing of border.&quot; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Indian daily DNA reported that Singh chaired the security meeting attended by the chief minister of&nbsp;western Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje, deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat&#39;s minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, and Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Brij Raj Sharma.

&nbsp;

The interior minister also said that the nation&#39;s security will never be compromised. &quot;Tension between India and Pakistan has increased; countrymen should trust security forces and stand by them,&quot; added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India is planning to start a new concept called Border Security Grid

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain, India's interior minister Rajnath Singh said today that India will completely seal the India-Pakistan border by December 2018. Singh made the statement after reviewing the security situation with the interior ministers and senior officials of the four bordering states as Indian media continues to report about ceasefire violations by Pakistan. "We will start a new concept called Border Security Grid, and the inputs from all the border states will be taken," Rajanth was quoted as saying by Indian media. "This project will be periodically monitored by the home secretary at the central level, Border Security Forces (BSF) from the security forces perspective and chief secretaries at the state level." The two South Asian neighbours have been at loggerheads with each other over the past few weeks. Ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley, September 18 Uri attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers, and Indian Army's announcement last week that it conducted surgical strikes in Pak-administered Kashmir further fuelled the tension. Meanwhile, Rajnath said that the technology will be also used under the plan. "Like we have riverine and Sir Creek area in Gujarat (a western Indian state), there we will make maximum use of technology for effective sealing of border." Indian daily DNA reported that Singh chaired the security meeting attended by the chief minister of western Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje, deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat's minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, and Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Brij Raj Sharma. The interior minister also said that the nation's security will never be compromised. "Tension between India and Pakistan has increased; countrymen should trust security forces and stand by them," added. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Will seal Indo-Pak border by December 2018: Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has received his first classified intelligence briefing which he said he is unlikely to &quot;use&quot; if he is elected in November&#39;s general election. 
 
As per the US laws, presidential nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties receive classified presidential briefings which prepares them for presidency,&nbsp;if elected. 
 
Given some of his rhetoric in the past, his opponents have urged the US government not to provide him with intelligence briefing. However, the FBI went ahead with its well-established tradition of providing classified briefings to the GOP candidate, which happened at the FBI office in New York. 
 
Trump was accompanied by two of his confidants New Jersey governor Chris Christie and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn. The briefing that reportedly lasted for more than two hours was led by the office of the director of national intelligence. 
 
While there was no word, these classified intelligence briefings normally includes on threats to the US and other security issues. It is not secret intelligence briefings which includes operational intelligence. 
 
Before the briefing, Trump said he would not much depend on such intelligence briefings. &quot;Very easy to use them, but I won&#39;t use them, because they&#39;ve made such bad decisions. If we would have never touched it, it would have been a lot better,&quot; Trump told Fox News in an interview. 
 
Before he headed for intelligence briefing, Trump held round table with his national security team on defeating radical Islam, his campaign said. 
 
&quot;Today, Mr. Trump convened a meeting of some of the top foreign policy and national security experts in the country to discuss how to win the war against radical islamic terrorism,&quot; said his national policy director Stephen Miller. 
 
&quot;The participants talked about improving immigration screening and standards to keep out radicals, working with moderate Muslims to foster reforms, and partnering with friendly regimes in the Middle East to stamp out ISIS,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;This is a stark contrast to Hillary Clinton who wants to bring in 620,000 refugees with no way to screen them, who refuses to say radical Islam, and who bears direct responsibility for the rise of ISIS with her disastrous interventions overseas,&quot; Miller said. 
 
It was not immediately known when Trump&#39;s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton would receive such a briefing or when it has been scheduled for. Several Republican leaders have called for Clinton not to be given classified information in view of the email scandal. 
 
(PTI)

Given some of his rhetoric in the past, his opponents have urged the US government not to provide him with intelligence briefing

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has received his first classified intelligence briefing which he said he is unlikely to "use" if he is elected in November's general election. As per the US laws, presidential nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties receive classified presidential briefings which prepares them for presidency, if elected. Given some of his rhetoric in the past, his opponents have urged the US government not to provide him with intelligence briefing. However, the FBI went ahead with its well-established tradition of providing classified briefings to the GOP candidate, which happened at the FBI office in New York. Trump was accompanied by two of his confidants New Jersey governor Chris Christie and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn. The briefing that reportedly lasted for more than two hours was led by the office of the director of national intelligence. While there was no word, these classified intelligence briefings normally includes on threats to the US and other security issues. It is not secret intelligence briefings which includes operational intelligence. Before the briefing, Trump said he would not much depend on such intelligence briefings. "Very easy to use them, but I won't use them, because they've made such bad decisions. If we would have never touched it, it would have been a lot better," Trump told Fox News in an interview. Before he headed for intelligence briefing, Trump held round table with his national security team on defeating radical Islam, his campaign said. "Today, Mr. Trump convened a meeting of some of the top foreign policy and national security experts in the country to discuss how to win the war against radical islamic terrorism," said his national policy director Stephen Miller. "The participants talked about improving immigration screening and standards to keep out radicals, working with moderate Muslims to foster reforms, and partnering with friendly regimes in the Middle East to stamp out ISIS," he said. "This is a stark contrast to Hillary Clinton who wants to bring in 620,000 refugees with no way to screen them, who refuses to say radical Islam, and who bears direct responsibility for the rise of ISIS with her disastrous interventions overseas," Miller said. It was not immediately known when Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton would receive such a briefing or when it has been scheduled for. Several Republican leaders have called for Clinton not to be given classified information in view of the email scandal. (PTI)

Donald Trump receives first classified intelligence briefing

The computer network used by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton&rsquo;s campaign was hacked as part of a broad cyber attack on Democratic political organisations, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. 
 
The latest attack, which was disclosed to Reuters yesterday, follows reports of two other hacks on the Democratic National Committee and the party&rsquo;s fundraising committee for candidates for the US House of Representatives. 
 
The US department of justice national security division is investigating whether cyber hacking attacks on Democratic political organisations threatened US security, sources familiar with the matter said yesterday. 
 
The involvement of the justice department&rsquo;s national security division is a sign that the Obama administration has concluded that the hacking was state sponsored, individuals with knowledge of the investigation said. 
 
The Clinton campaign, based in Brooklyn, had no immediate comment and referred Reuters to a comment from earlier this week by campaign senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan criticising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and calling the hacking &quot;a national security issue.&quot; 
 
The department of justice had no comment. 
 
It was not immediately clear what information on the Clinton campaign&rsquo;s computer system hackers would have been able to access. 
 
Hackers, whom US intelligence officials have concluded were Russian, gained access to the entire network of the fundraising Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, of DCCC, said people familiar with the matter, detailing the extent of the breach to Reuters for the first time. 
 
Access to the full DCCC network would have given the hackers access to everything from emails to strategy memos and opposition research prepared to support Democratic candidates in campaigns for the House. 
 
The hack of the DCCC, which is based in Washington, was reported first by Reuters on Thursday, ahead of Clinton&rsquo;s speech in Philadelphia accepting the Democratic party&rsquo;s nomination. 
 
Russian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. 
 
The DCCC said in a statement early on Friday that it has hired cyber security firm CrowdStrike to investigate. 
 
&quot;We have taken and are continuing to take steps to enhance the security of our network,&quot; the DCCC said. &quot;We are cooperating with federal law enforcement with respect to their ongoing investigation.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

It was not clear what information on the Clinton campaign?s computer system hackers would have been able to access

The computer network used by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign was hacked as part of a broad cyber attack on Democratic political organisations, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The latest attack, which was disclosed to Reuters yesterday, follows reports of two other hacks on the Democratic National Committee and the party’s fundraising committee for candidates for the US House of Representatives. The US department of justice national security division is investigating whether cyber hacking attacks on Democratic political organisations threatened US security, sources familiar with the matter said yesterday. The involvement of the justice department’s national security division is a sign that the Obama administration has concluded that the hacking was state sponsored, individuals with knowledge of the investigation said. The Clinton campaign, based in Brooklyn, had no immediate comment and referred Reuters to a comment from earlier this week by campaign senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan criticising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and calling the hacking "a national security issue." The department of justice had no comment. It was not immediately clear what information on the Clinton campaign’s computer system hackers would have been able to access. Hackers, whom US intelligence officials have concluded were Russian, gained access to the entire network of the fundraising Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, of DCCC, said people familiar with the matter, detailing the extent of the breach to Reuters for the first time. Access to the full DCCC network would have given the hackers access to everything from emails to strategy memos and opposition research prepared to support Democratic candidates in campaigns for the House. The hack of the DCCC, which is based in Washington, was reported first by Reuters on Thursday, ahead of Clinton’s speech in Philadelphia accepting the Democratic party’s nomination. Russian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. The DCCC said in a statement early on Friday that it has hired cyber security firm CrowdStrike to investigate. "We have taken and are continuing to take steps to enhance the security of our network," the DCCC said. "We are cooperating with federal law enforcement with respect to their ongoing investigation." (Reuters)

Clinton campaign also hacked in attacks on Democrats

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