In the last section, we had an overview of the entire north-east region and its states. We also had a glimpse of the effects of the large numbers of servicemen/ex-servicemen residing in the region and the profound impact our foreign policy has had in contributing to the present situation in the north-east. We would now look at possible options for problem resolution, starting with our foreign policy.

Duties of the State – National Security

Whether in ancient treatises on statecraft, such as the Arthashatra, or the modern concept of ‘nation state’, or our Constitution, everywhere it is stated that it is the bounden duty of the nation to ensure freedom and independence to its citizens and protect their core values and interests – this is what is implied by ‘national security’. An important ingredient of national security is the adoption of suitable policies and relations with other nations, which will contribute to security. It is however clear that we have not succeeded in this objective and are instead fighting a proxy war sponsored by the powers and hence the need to review our policy.

We need to face the fact that we currently have to survive in a unipolar world, with one superpower and a number of regional big powers, whose values and national interests may not coincide with ours. Whenever our policy has been on a collision course with them, we have reaped the consequences.