Amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, the Union Government has reportedly revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). The NSAB provides critical inputs on national security to the National Security Council Secretariat.
In a key appointment, Alok Joshi, former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), has been named the new Chairman of the NSAB. Joshi, a seasoned intelligence officer, brings decades of experience in national security matters. He holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1976, serving in various prestigious roles.
Alongside Joshi, other experienced members have been added to the board. These include former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen A K Singh, former Western Air Commander Air Marshal PM Sinha, Rear Admiral (retd) Monty Khanna, former diplomat B. Venkatesh Varma, and retired IPS officer Rajiv Ranjan Verma.
The revamp of the NSAB comes in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead, including one Nepali national, and many others injured. The attack is believed to have cross-border links, further escalating tensions with Pakistan.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired multiple meetings, including a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) session, to review the country’s security preparedness and formulate measures to address the threat. Following the discussions, the government announced a set of actions, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, as a strong stance against Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
