The Modi 2.0 Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) looks sharper and more agile

The most powerful and highest decision making body of India spearheaded by Modi himself, looks like they are designed to kill for the living and leave no stones unturned to achieve the objectives and agenda of Modi 2.0 government. The most interesting thing to watch out for will be whether or not the CCS be able to control their powerful PM or submit its power to retain PM’s power.

The swearing-in of the new Modi Cabinet at first glance looks very normal with just a few changes in it from the previous Cabinet. But if you look at deeply with analytical glasses on, you will find a lot significant changes in it. The choices made for the Cabinet were pragmatic, brutal, and clear and aligned to keep the power in the centre of the party and the government. Another interesting thing, is the willingness of the PM Modi to share the stage of the power with another centre of power with Amit Shah. It is very clear in the mind of Modi, that the election win has come at a cost and they need to start the hunt from day one and there is no time for celebration. The new ministeries formed will have to start dealing with the Ghosts of Past and also make merry with Ghosts of Present to keep the ghosts of future alive.

Amit Shah

The not so surprise inclusion is of Amit Shah being sworn-in as the Home Minister. The one thing that is obvious is that Home Minister going to gain its muscle again and would be one of the strongest Home Ministries in the past of the Cabinet that is because Amit Shah is too powerful of an administrators and his powers will be infinite in the Ministry that handles the IB (The Premier Intelligence Agency) and CBI. Take for example what the Washington Post describes this whole incident. It says, “Amit Shah, India’s invisible prime minister, gets more powerful – and dangerous”. It is interesting to note the pungent tone in the headline and the article then further digs deeper into the notorious past of Amit Shah’s involvement in the Ishrat Jahan case.

Amit Shah is the most successful and the most famous BJP party president in the history. Think of any other BJP Party President whom you remember so vividly and which had power over all the partymen and states alike. Now think, will the image of Amit Shah ever cease to persist in your mind ever without wielding enormous power and stature? He revolutionised the BJP and filled it with relentless energy and power for hunger. He made tall objectives and made it clear that he will never bend down no matter to achieve his objectives. Expect nothing less of Amit Shah as he takes on the new role in the Government different from his previous responsibility. But he is not a regular newly politician given huge responsibility for the first time and he will take time to set his position. His transition and shift of responsibility will be as smooth as shifting from sandals to slipping on shoes.

There will be a lot of focus on the NRC (Citizenship Bill Amendments Act) and Amit Shah, who campaigned vigorously over this issue in West Bengal and North-Eastern States) will take constitutionals steps to further his agenda as Amit Shah should not be taken for granted and one of the politician who will treat it as an Election Hoax.

The another issue would be bucking up of the NIA. There has been a lot of pendency and prosecution delays of many big cases. Also, the home ministry being the premier administrative institution, it’s primary task is to maintain coordination with different states and communicate with their governments for smooth functioning of the policies and state administration.

So, all in all, it will be not a calm and dormant ministry like in the case of his predecessor, Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh was sworn-in just after Narendra Modi, giving hints that he will retain the Home Ministry but his appointment as Defence Minister is more strategic and throught-provoken that what meets the general eye. The calming demeanour with which Rajnath has led Home Ministry is exactly what the Defence Ministry needs right now. With the Nationalistic approach of the government and politicization of the military and the military being rippled with protests and charges in its rank, it needs a sincere figure at the top to bring calm among the ranks and retain the dignity of the Armed Forces and the live up to its full glory for which it is capable of.

The main challenge in front of the Rajnath Singh will be the modernization of the armed forces with technical advancements and the investment on the Human Resources to actually strengthen the military and armed forces from within rather than just thumping puffed chests.

Rajnath will also have to deal with the whole Rafale Deal fiasco because it will not fade away soon and the Congress party if it is really keen on its revival, then it will have to pursue the Rafale issue and not neglect it as another campaign rhetoric. The tough personality and matured seasonal administrator image of Rajnath will definitely help in changing the image of armed forces and further the agenda of Nationalism by the BJP.

There is also a slight hope for the Military in this move as well, as it is being hoped that Rajnath Singh will be able to increase the Military Budget share allocation from the overall budget as the budget allocation share to military has been declined continuously in the NDA-I and the most of the budget that has come has been allotted to the OROP rather than R&D and modernization of armed forces. So we might see some changes in the policy matters and decision making approach with Rajnath at its helm.

Nirmala Sitharaman

The rise of Nirmala Sitharaman has been nothing but exceptional and a tale to be remembered for. Her appointment as the new Finance Minister is legendary in itself as she is only the second woman to hold the elite and powerful Finance Ministry after Indira Gandhi. Her appointment as FM is a huge gain from her previous portfolio of Defence Ministry and has surprised everyone but there is a hidden message underneath her appointment. Her appointment has been made to keep Arun Jaitely involved in the policy making and major decision making matters as he and Sitharaman share a good repo and Jaitely is believed to have nurtured Sitharaman and played a huge role in her meteoric rise.

As the govt. has finally released the Unemployment data which is highest 6.1% in 41 years and the decline in the consumption figures of the rising middle class is a huge albatross to hang around one’s neck and Nirmala Sitharaman will find her tasks cut out since the beginning as the GDP figures are also slowing down and the present Trade War between US, China and US taking back Preferred Trade Nation Status from India and Oil Sanctions by US for purchasing oil from Iran, where India imports almost 80% of its oil consumption needs, will be too big challenges for her.

Even while managing the previous calamities, she will also have to fund the ambitious projects of NaMo 2.0 government with a very aggressive 100 day plan of this government that will see an explosive Budget 2019-20.

S. Jaishankar

Last but definitely not the least, the inclusion of non-political professional into the CCS says a lot about the seriousness of this Modi Government in pursuing their Global Agenda’s and make a bolder mark into the World Power Structure.

S. Jaishankar is not only a professional diplomat who had helped ink the Indo-US deal 0f 2008 during the UPA – I & UPA- II, but also has been known to handheld Narendra Modi in the early days of NDA-I to steer India’s Global Strategic Interest.

It is a very good choice which says a lot about the willingness of this cabinet to give technocracy huge power, something for which this government was criticised for in its previous government for the lack of talent and professionalism in the ministry, where it just gave the boots to its partymen and alliance partners and not to trained professionalism.

Those who are aware about the geniusness of S. Jaishankar, know that he has been in and around the highest power circle for past three decades and has served as the Indian Ambassador to US and China. He will be very instrumental in steering india’s foreign policies in these testing times of Power Shifting Arena for Global Power Structure. He will be one of most watched commander of the Modi’s government after Amit Shah. The only challenge again would be will he able to tackle the two power centres looming over his shoulder or not?