Future wars could be cyberwars, or involve biological weapons. Epidemics like the largely unexplained plague outbreak at Surat, could be the kind of biological attacks which can be carried out by a hostile foreign power. Attacks on computers could render whole weapons systems inoperative. A concerted attack on the exchange rate will have repercussions similar to that of a prolonged war -- consider the situation in which the south-east Asian countries find themselves today. What is needed is a holistic approach to security, involving experts from across the industrial and military spectrum, and including widely differing personnel like trade negotiators on the one hand, and research scientists on the other. Yet, the centre has not displayed any vision when addressing the National Security Council's formation. All that seems to have been done is the fulfilment of an election promise, and the finalshape which the council has taken is a triumph of form over substance. For all practical purposes, the present cabinet committee has been renamed as the National Security Council. Politicians, even with the help of bureaucrats, can hardly be expected to have the expertise needed to formulate defence strategy, nor do they have the time. There seems to be a belief that security matters are the domain of military and intelligence agencies alone. The centre has botched a golden chance to formulate a national strategic vision.