Approach:

Introduction: Describe what we mean by risks to the internal security of a country.

Body: Discuss the many modern security risks to India. What should India do to prepare for these threats?

Conclusion: Moving ahead, suggest how taking the above steps will help prepare India for security challenges in this century.

Answer:

In a recent high-security conference organized by the Intelligence Bureau, our hon’ble Home minister put considerable emphasis on the issue of our internal security challenges being changed from geographic to thematic.

Risks to the internal security of a country refer to threats and challenges that can destabilize the social, economic, and political fabric of a nation. These risks can come from both internal and external sources and can have severe consequences for a country's stability and growth.

Contemporary risks associated with India's internal security are:

1. Terrorism: India faces a constant threat of terrorism from both internal and external sources. The rise of extremist groups and their ability to carry out attacks on Indian soil is a major security concern.
2. Cybersecurity: With the increasing reliance on technology, India is vulnerable to cyber-attacks from various actors, including state-sponsored hackers and criminal organisations.
3. Border disputes: India shares borders with several countries, and border disputes with neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan pose a significant security threat.
4. Naxalism: Naxalism is a Maoist insurgency that has been active in several states of India, posing a significant threat to the country's internal security.
5. Climate change as a destabilising threat: The effect of climate change is one of India's most pressing security concerns. As a result of diminishing freshwater supplies, there have been several interstate water disputes, one of which is the Cauvery dispute. Such actions may have an impact on the environment and pose a danger to national security.

6.New technologies: Although technology brings enormous benefits to mankind, it also has negative effects. New technology such as drones, transparent cameras, and robots, among others, has the potential to compromise India's security system. The Indian army recently shot down a Pakistani drone in Rajasthan as evidence of this. This presents new threats to Indian national security.

1. Communal violence: Communal violence, fuelled by religious and ethnic tensions, is a significant security challenge in India.
2. Separatist movements: these movements can be multi-faceted and focused upon parochial parameters. They might also jeopardize India's internal security while focusing more on regionalism.

Necessary precautions to avoid these risks include:

1. India should continue strengthening its intelligence and law enforcement agencies to counter-terrorism. It should also work with other countries to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat this threat. Some recent steps include pushing for the designation of certain individuals as terrorists by the United Nations 1267 sanctions committee, propagating threats of terrorism at various platforms etc.
2. India needs to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure and invest in developing indigenous cybersecurity technologies. It should also work with other countries to establish international norms and rules governing cyberspace. The 2013 cyber security policy should be revised further.
3. As a destabilized ecosystem might lead to a tipping point, climate action is of the utmost importance. The state must be prepared for natural catastrophes that may jeopardize the state's existence and the lives of its citizens.
4. India requires at least $4 billion in public-private partnership mode to address cybercrime-related concerns at the individual and organizational levels, according to a research titled "New Age Crime." This is required for the modernization of technology, training of cyber specialists, victim counselling, and forming cyber cells. Therefore, the government must collaborate with the private sector.
5. India should engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve border disputes and maintain peaceful relations with its neighbours. It should also continue to strengthen its military capabilities to deter any aggression. Various measures are being done in this regard such as promoting self-reliance in defence.
6. India needs to address the root causes of Naxalism, including poverty and underdevelopment in affected areas. It should also strengthen its law enforcement agencies and work with state governments to tackle this threat.
7. India needs to strengthen its law enforcement agencies and ensure strict enforcement of laws against hate speech and incitement to violence. It should also invest in promoting interfaith and interethnic harmony and work towards addressing underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to communal tensions.

Taking steps to address these security risks will help India prepare for the security challenges of this century. By strengthening its intelligence and law enforcement agencies, investing in cybersecurity, resolving border disputes, addressing internal insurgencies, and promoting communal harmony, India can ensure the strengthening of both external and internal security, along with continued growth and development.