Security of Indian Dignitaries

Recent Context:

• Recent Incident: The assassination attempt on a former US President during a public rally has heightened global awareness about the security of prominent individuals, including those in India.

Security Arrangements for Indian Dignitaries:

• Categories for Security Coverage:
• Positional/Statutory Security:
• Who: Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, etc.
• Purpose: To ensure their safety so they can make decisions without undue influence or fear.
• Note: Security is withdrawn once they leave office.
• Threat-Based Security:
• Who: Individuals assessed to be at risk based on specific threats.
• Responsibility: State Government or Union Territory Administration where the individual resides or is present.
• Security Provided by the Union Government:
• No Specific Titles: There are no official titles such as VVIP or VIP for those under special security cover.
• Guidelines:
• Blue Book: Contains detailed security instructions for the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister.
• Yellow Book: Provides guidelines for the security of other individuals, detailing arrangements based on threat levels.
• Threat Levels: Z+, Z, Y+, Y, and X categories, with the level of security provided depending on the assessed threat.
• Private Citizens: Can also receive security cover, sometimes for a fee.
• Security Cover for the Prime Minister:
• Special Protection Group (SPG):
• Legislation: Special Protection Group Act (1988) establishes SPG to provide proximate security to the Prime Minister (both current and former) and their immediate family.
• Proximate Security: Includes close-quarters protection during travel (by road, rail, aircraft) and at places of function, residence, or halt.
• Additional Responsibilities:
• State Police: When the Prime Minister travels to a state, the state police manage overall security, including intelligence gathering, route clearance, venue sanitization, and crowd management.
• Central Intelligence Agencies: Provide threat inputs to assist in security arrangements.

Importance of Comprehensive Security Arrangements:

• Protection from Threats: Ensures that dignitaries are shielded from potential threats, enabling them to perform their duties effectively and safely.
• Coordination Among Agencies: Effective security involves collaboration between various security and intelligence agencies, both at the central and state levels.
• Adaptation to Threats: Security measures are adjusted based on evolving threat perceptions and specific risks associated with the dignitaries.

Way Forward:

• Ongoing Review: Regular assessment and updating of security protocols to address emerging threats and ensure the effectiveness of protection measures.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Strengthening coordination between central and state agencies to enhance the overall security framework for Indian dignitaries.