The Ajit Doval Factor - II
   Date :16-May-2020

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By Vijay phanshikar :
 
Mr. Doval has mastered a fine control of his expression, with each of his words communicating a meaning much deeper than the dictionary may state. Thanks to this ability of his, Mr. Doval is in a position to explain to the nation the fine-print of national security -- which we may have otherwise missed. 
 

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When will we -- the people of the so-called Indian main-land -- understand the strategic importance of North-East India? When will we realise that it is a vast place accounting for lakhs of square kilometers of the Indian landscape? Why do not we recognise the fact that North-East India shares thousands of kilometers of international border with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh? Why don’t we realise that North-East region has priceless reserves of mineral and forest wealth? And, also, why don’t we tell ourselves that our contact connect with North-East region could be cut off if an enemy is able to capture what we know as Chicken’s Neck, that little strip of land flanked by two different countries? - Questions, in effect, raised by National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval, in a speech in Mumbai not long ago.
 
WHAT Mr. Ajit Doval wished to do during that speech was to highlight the strategic importance and criticality of the North-Eastern region for India. Each of those words reflected Mr. Doval’s -- and India’s -- deep thinking on the national security scenario. Each word of that statement communicated to the common citizens the prime and proactive concern India harbours about national security. And each of those finely tuned words demonstrated a wisdom of a lifetime of Mr. Doval, burnished and brightened by experience and expertise of a rare merit. Let alone what he has done in the last 5-6 years of being the NSA, Mr. Doval has been engaged in public education on strategic issues since his retirement as India’s top spy some years ago.
 
Whatever he saw, whatever he did, whatever he planned as a spy was only a part of the physical conduct of operations in national interests whereby he worked undercover in Pakistan. He masterminded various operations successfully. But parallely, Mr. Doval was also building an intellectual -- and spiritual -- reserve that he is now using as he leads the national security apparatus, in thought and action. Even as he masterminds various critical operations or helps propel India’s diplomatic process whenever needed, Mr. Ajit Doval finds time to educate the public on nuances of national security -- simply out of his belief that an educated public is a terrific asset to any nation.
 
When he headed the Vivekananda Foundation, Mr. Doval went about educating people in right values of leadership of public causes and national interest; his narrative often tinged by certain spirituality that Swami Vivekananda stood for. That reference to context gave Mr. Doval’s statements certain gravitas of unmatched quality. If we listen to his words carefully, we realise Mr. Doval’s burning passion and commitment to the task at hand. Through his hard work, through his personal dare-devilry, through his deep research on issues of national interest, he has woven a wonderful security doctrine whose merit everybody now recognises, not just in India but also outside it.
 
In the process, Mr. Doval has become a critical voice of India on strategy and security. Even as 75 years of age, Mr. Doval’s passion and energy are visible to all. And what is equally visible is his intellectual prowess that encompasses amazing lessons from history -- ancient and contemporary -- for use in the current moment. To those who hear and watch him speak and also look deep into his eyes shining from behind his specs, what becomes visible is a weather-beaten man who has seen it all -- the risks and dangers of being a spy, the close calls he has had and got saved by the skin of his teeth, the grim realities as the top brain in national security ...! But more importantly visible than all these is the man’s fundamental, unshakable and active belief in the nation’s greatness.
 
 
Actually, this is one quality Mr. Ajit Doval shares with all the contemporary greats with whom he works closely every minute of the day and night. If he has added grist to the sound idea of national security India now operates on, those other greats have added their grain to the thought, making India a formidable force internationally in diplomatic and strategic realpolitik. This fine combination of talent and commitment has made India one terrific proposition for all other nations to contend with. Yes, this high-level ecosystem in which Mr. Doval works is a matter of fortune for him and for the nation. But it is also important to note that Mr. Doval has added a fine facet of philosophy and functionality to that mature ecosystem, a contribution nobody can deny. And let us also not miss the mastery Mr. Doval has achieved and attained on expression.
 
Born in upper reaches of North India and having worked in Kerala Cadre of Indian Police as well as in Intelligence, Mr. Doval has mastered a fine control of his expression, with each of his words communicating a meaning much deeper than the dictionary may state. Thanks to this ability of his, Mr. Doval is in a position to explain to the nation the fine-print of national security -- which we may have otherwise missed. In fact, India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister -- Mr. Narendra Modi -- who is driving foreign policy management with his robust personal contribution and commitment; a Minister of External Affairs -- Dr. S. Jaishankar -- who has given a comprehensive perspective to foreign policy apparatus; a great bunch of diplomats whose collective brain has made impossible possible on many occasions; and many others (known like the late Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, and unknown) to act as India’s face on critical strategic and diplomatic issues. To all these, National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval adds a very special dimension -- making a complete team!