India’s longest-Serving NSA, Ajit Doval 3.0 Begins under Modi’s Third Term

Ajit Doval has been reappointed as India's national security adviser by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. His appointment will coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's term or until further orders, as per The Indian Express News.

Who is Ajit Doval?

Doval has already served for ten years in the job since 2014, demonstrating his expertise and the trust of consecutive governments. His most recent term began on 10 June, immediately after his previous term ended on 5 June, just one day after the country’s Lok Sabha election results returned Modi to the top office.

The advisor has overseen an unpredictable relationship with Islamabad by conducting cross-border strikes, such as the 2016 attack on the Uri Brigade's HQ and the air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot following the Pulawama suicide attack on Indian security personnel in February.

Similarly, his influence has been vital in molding India's security strategies, especially in handling diplomatic ties with China. Doval played a significant role in resolving the Indo-China Doklam standoff in 2017.

In his initial tenure as NSA, Doval played a pivotal role in ensuring the safe repatriation of 46 Indian nurses who were stranded in Iraq under the Sunni militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria* (ISIS) in 2014.

Doval likewise played an important role in delaying Pakistan's nuclear test in the 1970s by exposing the Khan Research Plant. Doval's strategies also countered the Khalistan movement, as well as insurgencies in Sikkim and Mizoram states.

India's NSA has left his mark through the "Doval Doctrine" which emphasizes the use of proactive measures and clandestine methods to address complex geopolitical challenges, cementing his reputation as a formidable figure in India's intelligence society.

As an operative, Doval played a key role in countering various insurgencies, border skirmishes and militancy, from the Black Thunder operation in the late 1980s to the Blue Star operation in 1984.

He is the only intelligence officer to have been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Doval Believes in Action, not Bragging

"The nation would greatly benefit from effective and measured deterrence strategies in the neighbourhood. It is crucial to have a leader who not only means business but is also perceived as such by both allies and adversaries. In this way, he has been able to create a potent structure in the National Security Council that deals with all the important aspects of national security," Air Marshal GS Bedi (Retd), former director general of the Indian Air Force and former air advisor at London's High Commission of India told Sputnik India.

For his part, Bedi further expressed that he believes that Doval's role appears to be highly relevant, especially in the context of tensions with Pakistan and China. The core goal should be to maintain a strong defensive position while simultaneously exploring avenues for constructive dialogue and diplomacy, he said.

Doval's Vision for Pakistan

For Pakistan, Doval is clearly a top hawk, Dr Tughral Yamin, ex-brigadier of Pakistan’s Army and a think-tanker at the Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad, told Sputnik India.

"I do not expect Modi to go soft on Pakistan in his third term in office, so orders for Doval are going to remain the same, like keep Pakistan on a tight leash and let go no chance to isolate it internationally and create problems internally," the ex-veteran officer and pundit underscored.

He further alleged that Doval may restart a campaign to support and sponsor separatist groups in Pakistan, and also try to counter Kashmiri militants by assassinating them. He also purportedly backs the Tehrek e Taliban** Pakistan group, dubbed a terrorist group in Pakistan, to destabilize the country.

Indo-Russian Relations

India Stands With Russia in Fight Against Terror: NSA Ajit Doval

3 April, 19:31

*ISIS is a banned group in Russia and elsewhere

**Under UN sanctions

India's Longest-Serving NSA Doval Reappointed For Modi' Third Term

Who is Ajit Doval?

Doval Believes in Action, not Bragging

Doval's Vision for Pakistan