New Delhi, May 17
The Congress-led government at the Centre, which is faced with urgent decisions on the diplomatic and strategic fronts, may segregate the two crucial posts of National Security Adviser (NSA) and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Non-political sources entrusted with the task of handling the country’s strategic affairs, told this correspondent today that under the new dispensation, the posts of the NSA and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, which the Vajpayee government had clubbed, were likely to be segregated.
Mr Brajesh Mishra has held the two posts in the Vajpayee government since 1998, even after the categoric recommendation to the contrary by the Kargil Review Committee (KRC). However, if the Congress government was to segregate the two posts it would not be in deference to the KRC recommendation but due to other political reasons.
The strongest candidates for the post of NSA government appear to be Mr M.K. Narayanan, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, and former Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit, in that order. It is understood that even if Mr Narayanan were to miss the NSA bus, he is going to play an important role in the new dispensation.
Mr Narayanan’s plus points are numerous. The intelligence maestro has the image of being a master strategist and an understanding of international affairs. Congress’ key pre-poll alliance partner, the DMK, which has a strength of 20 in the 14th Lok Sabha, is also understood to be pitching for Mr Narayanan’s candidature.
Mr Dixit’s profile is no less either. The career diplomat, who has been India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and Ambassador to Afghanistan, is a specialist on international affairs.
Since one of the important issues that is going to explode very soon is China as the next round of special representatives-level talks between India and China on the boundary question is scheduled for early next month, Mr Dixit can emerge with flying colours if given the chance.
Mr Mishra has so far been India’s pointman for talks with China and his name was doing the rounds for becoming the Indian pointman for political-level talks with Pakistan as well.
No name has come up so far in South Block corridors and cocktail circuits for the post of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
