PPP for Strengthening National Security: Former Chairperson, US Homeland Security Council at PHD Chamber

Biometrics is the only assured way of verification for the Unique Identification System to be installed in India and for strengthening Homeland Security. This was disclosed by Ms. Fraces Fragos Townsend, Assistant to Former U.S President George Bush for Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism and Former Chairperson of the U.S Homeland Security Council at a Meeting on “Perceived Security Threat Scenario and Role of Industry in Protecting National Security” organized by PHD Chamber at New Delhi.

India’s strength lies in its resilience to rebound from multiple terrorist attacks. Countering terrorism is a constant mission and responsibility of the Government and is a political as well as an economic issue. Building a system to counter terrorism which includes government, private sector as well as civilians has remained slow in India. For strengthening National Security, there is a need to identify the authorities who could be held responsible and accountable in all the five capabilities for homeland security to detect, deter, prevent, respond and recover, for success in countering terrorism in the long run.

The Federal Government in the US has set up fusion centres in the US to transfer knowledge and resources at the state and the local government levels as it is the local policemen who could check terrorism at ground level and that information sharing relation is absolutely essential for protecting national interest, informed Ms Fran Townsend.

It is extremely useful to invite private sector and make them understand the requirements of the government for strengthening Homeland Security and build solutions accordingly. Public Private Partnerships can contribute to capacity building in the Government organizations responsible for national security. The private sector has higher capabilities in several hi-tech areas which need to be tapped by the government organizations for achieving their national security missions. In India, major initiatives are planned for strengthening security such as the size of coast guard is expected to be tripled by 2022. This would throw huge opportunities for the private sector in the area of recruitment, training, knowledge management and communications. There is tremendous interest in international business community to offer their experience, capabilities and expertise in the area of security to Indian companies to help them build quicker capabilities. Future collaborations in this field would depend on how Government of India would allow and invite foreign company’s operation in India.

The US Government has managed to effectively handle terrorism on their soil post 9/11. Learning from their experience and strengthening intelligence and countering terrorism could be rewarding for India, suggested Mr. Krishan Kalra, Secretary General, PHD Chamber.

India as well as the US could learn from the challenges faced by the other for countering terrorism, said Mr. Bimal Sareen, Chairman, Defence Industry Committee, PHD Chamber.

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