Former chief of India’s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing, Samant Goel, on Saturday said pruning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security detail in the name of austerity was not the correct thing to do and was not in the national interest.
Goel said the times were too volatile for such experiments with the security of the head of government and that the need of the hour was to further strengthen, rather than reduce, the Prime Minister’s security.
“The current international security situation is highly volatile. There have been three attacks on US President Trump, despite it being considered the safest country. There are several elements who are against India. Terror activities are happening, especially by our neighbouring state,” Goel said.
He said that at a time when terror incidents were rising, he felt the government must make even better and special arrangements for the Prime Minister’s security.
“As per the current threat assessments, drones and sniper guns have come in. So, we need to review PM security and strengthen it, rather than downsizing it. I feel this is not right. This is not in the interest of the nation,” he said on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.
Modi has reduced his cavalcade to two vehicles, as have other ministers, after his call to save fuel and optimise the use of available resources.
