Kumar Bahukhandi
PM Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval
Prime Minister Narendra Modi places his complete trust in National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The duo is regarded as highly reliable in matters concerning India’s security and foreign policy. Ajit Doval has been working continuously alongside PM Modi since 2014. He played a pivotal role in key decisions such as the Uri surgical strike, the Balakot airstrike, and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi: Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran has offered an insider’s perspective on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi places such immense trust in National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Saran highlighted the unique significance of the NSA’s role within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Speaking on a podcast hosted by the news agency ANI, Saran shared several key insights. He noted that the NSA shoulders a massive responsibility; India is a vast nation, and it faces a myriad of challenges.
Consequently, one is required to make a wide variety of decisions. It is not strictly necessary that these decisions turn out to be 100 percent correct. However, coordinating effectively with the Prime Minister is absolutely essential. At times, the level of mutual trust is so profound that communication takes place even in a “silent mode”—without the need for explicit verbal exchange.
One does not even have to explain oneself in such instances. This entire process unfolds under conditions of immense pressure.
The Prime Minister Has Never Had to Defend the NSA
Saran observed that the Prime Minister has never been seen publicly defending the NSA. The Prime Minister is fully cognisant of the immense pressure involved in the role. He understands that, occasionally, certain decisions may indeed turn out to be incorrect. Saran added,
“I do not believe that any NSA has ever been removed from their post.” He further explained that, prior to the creation of this office, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister used to handle the duties now assigned to the NSA.
However, since the Principal Secretary had to attend to numerous other responsibilities as well, the distinct post of National Security Advisor was established during the tenure of the Vajpayee government. Brajesh Mishra was appointed as India’s first NSA.
This position was also created specifically to oversee and manage India’s nuclear weapons program. From the perspective of national security, it is an extremely powerful and influential office. Why PM Modi Trusts NSA Ajit Doval
Prime Minister Narendra Modi places his trust in National Security Advisor Ajit Doval due to his career in espionage, his expertise in counter-terrorism operations, and his “Nation First” approach.
Doval played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of surgical strikes such as those in Uri (2016) and Balakot (2019)—actions that underscore the Narendra Modi government’s firm security policy.
From the Kandahar plane hijacking (1999) to the abrogation of Article 370, Ajit Doval has played a central, behind-the-scenes role in every major security crisis.
Ajit Doval firmly believes that national security cannot be compromised—a conviction that reinforces Modi’s vision of a “Strong India.”
Who is Ajit Doval?
Ajit Doval is India’s fifth and current National Security Advisor, often referred to as “India’s James Bond” for his involvement in covert intelligence operations. As a 1968-batch IPS officer from the Kerala cadre, he spent seven years working undercover in Pakistan and played a leading role in counter-insurgency operations across Mizoram, Punjab, and Kashmir.
