The recent news of the Delhi blast and Home Minister Amit Shah's firm resolve to 'hunt down each and every culprit' resonates deeply within me, reminding us of the persistent threats to our nation's security. This sentiment, though focused on immediate retribution, compels me to reflect on the broader, interconnected challenges India faces—from internal security to the subtle erosion of our digital sovereignty and the imperative for true self-reliance in defense. Such moments of crisis often lay bare the underlying vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, can undermine the very fabric of a nation.
The Digital Frontier: A Looming Battle
I’ve long argued that national security in the 21st century extends far beyond physical borders. It infiltrates the digital realm, where data is the new wealth and sovereignty is increasingly contested. Bharat Karnad, in his insightful posts, has repeatedly highlighted how our digital sovereignty is being jeopardized by trade agreements and a lack of foresight by policymakers. He points to figures like External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, suggesting their actions have inadvertently surrendered critical digital safeguards in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) "Ego massage & policy outcome: Modi and Trump" and "India is losing its digital sovereignty. Blame the combo of Jaishankar & Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal".
This concern over data is not new for me. I had brought up this thought years ago, emphasizing that data is a new form of wealth and that personal data needs to be stored in India "Why Personal data needs to be stored in India ?" and "Data 'new form of wealth', needs to take into account developing nations' needs: India". I even proposed frameworks like SARAL (Single Authentic Registration for Anywhere Login) built upon DEPA (Data Empowerment Protection Architecture) to empower Indian users to own and monetize their data, securing both privacy and innovation "If DEPA foundation then SARAL Superstructure". It’s striking how relevant these earlier insights still are today, validating my sense of urgency then, and renewing it now.
Karnad points out the alarming concessions made by the Modi government, such as not insisting on source codes for capital hardware purchases and opening up cross-border data flows. He highlights the irony that while the US is moving to impose sovereign oversight on foreign tech companies like TikTok, India is being pushed to leave its digital space vulnerable. This stark contrast, as explored in his articles, underscores a critical failing in our strategic thinking, a vulnerability that threatens our economic future and national security. Piyush Goel, as Commerce Minister, has also been implicated in these negotiations, which Karnad describes as leading to significant giveaways. These views align with my previous reflections on tariffs and sanctions, where I noted that "Most countries levy 'Anti Dumping Duties' or even 'Quantitative Import Quotas'…to protect local industries" "When will we learn ?". Jaishankar's recent acknowledgement that "Countries Use Tariffs, Sanctions; It is A Reality" "Jaishankar says 'Countries Use Tariffs, Sanctions; It is A Reality'" further confirms this pragmatic, albeit stark, reality that I had previously prophesied in my 2018 piece "IT IS : SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" "IT IS : SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST".
Self-Reliance in Defense: More Than a Slogan
When I hear Amit Shah speak of the 'full wrath of agencies' against culprits, my mind turns to the necessity of truly robust national capabilities. Karnad, in "Modi Government’s death blow to Indian defence industry & IAF chief’s fantastical claims — 2 Notes" [https://bharatkarnad.com/2025/10/07/modi-governments-death-blow-to-indian-defence-industry-iaf-chiefs-fantastical-claims-2-notes/], criticizes the Modi government for potentially undermining India's domestic defense industry by allowing foreign subsidiaries to qualify as 'Indian vendors.' He distinguishes between "Made in India" and "Make in India," a distinction I highlighted years ago in "In defense of FDI in Defense" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/06/in-defense-of-fdi-in-defense.html] and [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2016/06/in-defense-of-fdi-in-defense.html]. The core idea I wanted to convey then was this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time, arguing that 100% FDI in defense, if structured correctly, could boost local manufacturing, create jobs, and reduce import dependency. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context. I advocated for allowing private sector majors like L&T, Tata, and Mahindra Aerospace to produce combat aircraft like the Tejas to meet the Indian Air Force’s needs, rather than relying solely on public sector units like HAL "Let Private Sector also produce the Tejas LCA".
Geopolitical Games and National Dignity
The broader geopolitical landscape painted by Karnad further complicates matters. He discusses how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with figures like former US President Donald Trump has been characterized by flattery and missed opportunities for India to assert its leverage "Ego massage & policy outcome: Modi and Trump" and "Modi’s effusive response to Trump sets India up for more humiliation". Trump's transactional approach, exemplified by tariffs and sanctions, and his public mocking of Modi's attempts at rapprochement, underscore the need for a foreign policy rooted in self-respect and strategic autonomy, a point I have consistently stressed. Karnad's writings also detail how figures like Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir have leveraged geopolitical opportunities to Pakistan's advantage, often at India's expense, highlighting the precariousness of regional stability "The “48 hours” — is why Munir became a Field Marshal?".
I note Karnad's observations on the perceived "weakness" of India's response to geopolitical pressures, a theme I touched upon in my blog "Hiding in Plain Sight?" [https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2018/10/hiding-in-plain-sight.html], where I discussed India's economic vulnerabilities. The need for a firm stand is paramount. The mentions of Kash Patel and Harmeet Dhillon in Karnad's recent post highlight the growing complexities of engaging with the diaspora and addressing transnational issues like Khalistani extremism, further emphasizing the need for robust, proactive measures rather than reactive ones "No pushback on Trump’s Plan to compel India’s subservience" and "No Two ways to deal with Canada and terrorists (Augmented)".
The Delhi blast is a stark reminder that national security is not merely about pursuing culprits, but about fundamentally reimagining and strengthening every facet of our national power – from digital infrastructure to defense manufacturing and diplomatic resolve. The path to true sovereignty and security demands a clear-eyed assessment of our vulnerabilities and a bold commitment to strategic self-reliance. It is a journey of continuous adaptation, learning from both historical missteps and contemporary challenges, to forge a future where India stands strong and unyielding.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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