Government Revamps National Security Advisory Board; Ex-RAW Chief Alok Joshi Appointed Chairperson
In a decisive move following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and appointed former RAW Chief Alok Joshi as its new head. The step comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and a renewed focus on strengthening national security frameworks.
The revamp of the NSAB follows the April 22 terrorist attack in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including that of 25 tourists. The attack, widely condemned, has intensified India’s diplomatic and strategic response to terrorism originating from across the border.
The newly formed six-member board includes a balanced mix of expertise from the military, police, and diplomatic corps. From the armed forces, Lt. Gen. AK Singh (retd), Air Marshal PM Sinha (retd), and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (retd) have been inducted. Retired IPS officers Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, along with former IFS officer B Venkatesh Varma, complete the board.
First constituted in December 1998, the NSAB provides long-term strategic assessments and policy recommendations to the National Security Council (NSC) on pressing national security matters. The previous board, formed in 2018, was headed by former Indian Ambassador to Russia, P.S. Raghavan.
With Alok Joshi’s leadership, the board is expected to offer robust strategies to counter evolving threats and enhance India’s national security architecture.
