India Needs A General, Not A Politician, For Defence Minister

India Needs A General, Not A Politician, For Defence Minister As expected, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet expansion included a new Defense Minister, as Manohar Parrikar, a former Chief Minister for the state of Goa, takes the reins from Arun Jaitley, who served as little more than a placeholder for the crucial position. Parrikar certainly embodies the resume of a politician, armed with an IIT education and extensive political experience that runs from the Legislative Assembly to the Chief Minister position. For the avid Comparativist, India’s recurring habit of appointing personnel with no military experience or background to the highest post in the Ministry of Defence is a peculiar question muddled with political answers. For Modi, improving the military stature of India was a priority of his campaign, from addressing equipment deficiencies to funding research and development agencies to bolster India’s growth as an arms exporter, a drastic reversal for a country that has been the largest importer of arms for years. Yet, when time came for Modi’s cabinet expansion, few have questioned Parrikar’s appointment. After all, Parrikar’s background follows the said phenomenon of Indian defence ministers who have had zero experience in the military. It would appear the Minister of Defence position has evolved from the point man on defence strategy and military to a stepping stone for the business-savvy in procurement of large arms deals and empty rhetoric in matters of national security. Take, for example the fact that of the 27 individuals to take up the position, only two have had military experience, a startling phenomenon that could continue to agitate the senior leaders of the military and muddle defence concerns with politics. To accommodate Modi’s “Make in India” campaign, the Defence Minister position seems to have been transformed into a glorified arms dealer. To have to make the rational argument that military experience is an obvious characteristic needed to guide decisions that affect the Ministry of Defence and comprehensive security strategy for the nation is worrisome to the initiatives made by the Defence Ministry in areas that span much-needed improvements to cyber security and diplomatically sensitive border conflicts. As a key figure and alumnus of the infamous Hindu nationalist group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Parrikar should have the skills of political schmoozing and oratory skills down pat. But for the countless security concerns that plague India and pose serious threats to the nation’s infrastructure. The growing evolution of issues, many of which are foreign to politicians, but everyday experiences for military personnel, should be more than enough to convince the upper echelon of the Modi administration to remove the political clout that has become associated with the Defence portfolio. For Parrikar, understanding that the vulnerabilities and politics behind security decisions are drastically different from the duties he undertook as Chief Minister of Goa is vital to the success of himself and the lofty goals that Narendra Modi has set forth for the military. While the BJP is keen and swift in adopting the economic and business policies of “model” nations, it has reduced itself to similar level of fulfilling favours when it comes to appointing Cabinet positions.