Ajit Doval: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|National Security Advisor of the Republic of India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

| image              = [[File:Ajit Doval.png|border|220px]]

| caption            = NSA Ajit Doval

| deputy              = [[Dattatray Padsalgikar]] <br> [[Pankaj Saran]]<br> [[Rajinder Khanna]]<br>[[Vinod G. Khandare]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/pre-truth/3-deputies-to-reduce-workload-of-nsa-ajit-doval/137360/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026043359/https://theprint.in/pre-truth/3-deputies-to-reduce-workload-of-nsa-ajit-doval/137360/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2018|title=3 deputies to reduce workload of NSA Ajit Doval|date=26 October 2018}}</ref>

| spouse              = Aruni Doval (m.1972)

| years_active        = 1969—present

| organization        = Director, [[Vivekananda International Foundation]]

'''Ajit Kumar Doval,''' [[Kirti Chakra|KC]] (born 20 January 1945) is the fifth and current [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] to the [[Prime Minister of India]], with the precedence of a [[Cabinet Minister (India)|Cabinet Minister]].<ref name=bbchi>{{cite news|title=डोवाल बने राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा सलाहकार|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/india/2014/05/140530_ajit_doval_new_nsa_aa|access-date=4 June 2014|publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2014|language=hi|quote=...अजित कुमार डोवाल को प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी का राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा सलाहकार...|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108114800/http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/india/2014/05/140530_ajit_doval_new_nsa_aa|archive-date=8 January 2015|trans-title=Doval becomes National Security Advisor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/ajit-doval-theory-practice|title=Ajit Doval in theory and practice|last=Donthi|first=Praveen|date=September 2017|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> He previously served as the [[Director of Intelligence Bureau (India)|Director]] of the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] in 2004–05, after spending a decade as the head of its operation wing. He was also an instrumental figure in [[Revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir]]. He is a retired member of the [[Indian Police Service]].

Doval was born in 1945 in Ghiri Banelsyun village in [[Pauri Garhwal district|Pauri Garhwal]] in a [[Garhwali people|Garhwali]] [[Brahmin]] family in the erstwhile [[United Provinces (1937-1950)|United Provinces]], now in [[Uttarakhand]]. Doval's father, Major G. N. Doval, was an officer in the Indian Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ajit-doval-underlines-use-of-power-india-should-stop-punching-below-its-weight/|title=NSA Ajit Doval underlines use of power: India should stop punching below its weight|date=5 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/doval-laments-uttarakhands-poor-pace-of-development-growth.html|title=Doval laments Uttarakhand's poor pace of development, growth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824221539/http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/doval-laments-uttarakhands-poor-pace-of-development-growth.html|archive-date=24 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/dehradun/top-positions-in-countrys-security-establishments-helmed-by-men-from-ukhand/articleshow/56056880.cms?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221184712/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/dehradun/top-positions-in-countrys-security-establishments-helmed-by-men-from-ukhand/articleshow/56056880.cms|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2016|title=Top positions in country's security establishments helmed by men from Uttarakhand |date=2016-12-21|access-date=2018-03-20}}</ref>

He received his early education at the [[Ajmer Military School]] in [[Ajmer]], Rajasthan. He graduated with a master's degree in [[economics]] from the [[Agra University]] in 1967.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/people/ajit-doval-the-most-powerful-person-in-india-after-pm-modi/dobal-magic/slideshow/54405118.cms|title=Ajit Doval: The most powerful person in India after PM Modi|website=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-08-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827020355/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/people/ajit-doval-the-most-powerful-person-in-india-after-pm-modi/dobal-magic/slideshow/54405118.cms|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> He was awarded an honorary doctorate for his contribution in the field of strategic and security matters, in science and literature from [[Agra University]] in December 2017 and [[Kumaun University]] in May 2018 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ajit-doval-colleges-universities-students-skills-global-competition-1101785-2017-12-06|title=Colleges, universities have responsibilities to impart skills to students: Ajit Doval|author=Siraj Qureshi|date=6 December 2017|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/nsa-ajit-doval-has-a-four-point-mantra-for-success/story-AhRiJl3uJtSNj2dgfvNX5L.html|title=NSA Ajit Doval has a four-point mantra for success|date=18 May 2018|website=www.hindustantimes.com/}}</ref> Ajit Doval was also conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in philosophy by [[Amity University, Noida|Amity University]], in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/nov/03/indias-human-capital-can-counter-chinas-rare-mineral-wealth-nsa-ajit-doval-1893875.html|title=India's 'human capital' can counter China's 'rare mineral wealth': NSA Ajit Doval|date=3 November 2018|website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alumni.amity.edu/AmityNews.aspx?EventId=4721|title=Amity awards more than more than 7700 degrees and diplomas upon qualified graduands during the third day of Convocation 2018|date=3 November 2018|website=alumni.amity.edu/}}</ref>

===Police career===

Doval joined the [[Indian Police Service]] in 1968 in the [[Kerala]] cadre as the ASP of [[Kottayam]] district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/02/27/how-ajit-doval-the-centres-man-friday-suppressed-a-riot-in-kerala-in-1972.html|title=How Ajit Doval, the Centre's man Friday, suppressed a riot in Kerala in 1972}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WR1eDwAAQBAJ&q=AJITH+DOVAL+KOTTAYAM+ASP&pg=PT137|title = Kannur: Inside India's Bloodiest Revenge Politics|isbn = 9789353051051|last1 = Ullekh|first1 = N. P.|date = 19 June 2018}}</ref> He was actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in [[Punjab insurgency|Punjab]].

Doval worked in [[Thalassery]], Kerala, for a brief period from 2 January 1972 to 9 June 1972. Doval, who was then the ASP in Kottayam, was assigned the duty by the then Home Minister, [[K. Karunakaran]]. Though the Thalassery riot, lasted for only a couple of days after it began on 28 Dec 1971, Karunakaran wanted to avert it escalating further, following which Doval was assigned the duty. Immediately after reaching Thalassery, his priority was to retrieve the properties looted by the rioters, and was the SI in Kannur Town Police station at that time.

He also brought the looters before society and charted out effective action plans to curb the violence and everything was back to normalcy within one week, he said.  "Though I was not in Thalassery at that time, I have heard of him and it is said that he was a daring police officer with great dreams", said AK Vasudevan, a former IPS officer who was the commandant of the Malabar Special Police (MSP which was deployed in Thalassery following the riots). He worked in Thalassery for five months and he later joined the central service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Indian-James-Bond-Ajit-Doval-had-managed-riot-hit-Thalassery/articleshow/54624704.cms|title=James Bond: How 'Indian James Bond' Ajit Doval had managed riot-hit Thalassery &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

 

Ajit Doval played a role in intelligence for Sikkim's merger with India.<ref name="tel">{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040708/asp/nation/story_3469111.asp | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph | title=Kandahar negotiator gets IB top post | date=8 July 2004 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007010606/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040708/asp/nation/story_3469111.asp | archive-date=7 October 2008 | access-date=27 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/india/2016/05/16/sikkim-day-how-sikkim-became-a-part-of-india|title=Sikkim Day: How Sikkim Became a Part of India|work=The Quint|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en}}</ref> He was trained under [[M. K. Narayanan]], the 3rd National Security Advisor of India for a brief period in counterterrorism operations. He was also part of the team sent to Kandahar to negotiate the release of the passengers of Indian Airlines IC-814.

<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://southasiaanalysis.org/papers37/paper3619.html |title=M.K.Narayanan |date=2010-04-23 |access-date=2017-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623174351/http://southasiaanalysis.org/papers37/paper3619.html |archive-date=23 June 2012 }}</ref><ref name="tel"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/Return-of-the-Superspy/2014/06/08/article2265019.ece |title=Return of the Superspy |work=newindianexpress.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817150726/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/Return-of-the-Superspy/2014/06/08/article2265019.ece |archive-date=17 August 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 }}</ref>

 

He served as Additional Director and Special Director of [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]]. He was later appointed as [[Director of Intelligence Bureau (India)|Director]] of the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]].

Doval retired in January 2005<ref name=rediff_bangladesh/> as Director, [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] (which is India's Internal intelligence agency). In December 2009, he became the founding Director of the [[Vivekananda International Foundation]], a public policy think tank set up by the [[Vivekananda Kendra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/vivekananda-international-foundation-the-brains-behind-modi-sarkar/|title=The Brains Behind Modi Sarkar - Brijesh Singh - Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|work=tehelka.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203809/http://www.india.com/news/india/meet-ajit-doval-the-man-behind-surgical-strikes-across-loc-1524025/|archive-date=22 March 2017|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/37211/terrorist-threat-response-capability-india.html|title=Terrorist threat and response capability - India a year after|work=Deccan Herald|date=21 November 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124061106/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/37211/terrorist-threat-response-capability-india.html|archive-date=24 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vifindia.org/AboutUs1|title=About Us|date=2017-01-17|website=www.vifindia.org|language=en|access-date=2017-08-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901105629/http://www.vifindia.org/AboutUs1|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> Doval has remained actively involved in the discourse on national security in India. Besides writing editorial pieces for several leading newspapers and journals, he has delivered lectures on India's security challenges and foreign policy objectives at several renowned government and non-governmental institutions, security think-tanks in India and abroad.

In 2009 and 2011 he co-wrote two reports on "Indian Black Money Abroad in Secret Banks and Tax Havens",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bjp.org/images/pdf/feb_08_bjp_task_force_report_ii.pdf|title=Indian Black Money Abroad in Secret Banks and Tax Havens}}</ref> with others, leading in the field as a part of the task force constituted by [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6567:executive-summary-of-indian-black-money-abroad-in-secret-banks-and-tax-havens&catid=68:press-releases&Itemid=494|title=Bharatiya Janata Party|website=www.bjp.org|access-date=2017-09-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901110141/http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6567%3Aexecutive-summary-of-indian-black-money-abroad-in-secret-banks-and-tax-havens&catid=68%3Apress-releases&Itemid=494|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>

In recent years, he has delivered guest lectures on strategic issues at [[IISS]], London, [[Capitol Hill]], Washington DC, Australia-India Institute, [[University of Melbourne]], [[National Defence College, India|National Defence College]], New Delhi and the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration]], [[Mussoorie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vifindia.org/aboutus/annual-report|title=Vivekananda International Foundation - Seeking Harmony in Diversity|work=vifindia.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525225923/http://www.vifindia.org/aboutus/annual-report|archive-date=25 May 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/Edits/Working-in-real-time/Article1-810451.aspx Working in real time] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216011922/http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/Edits/Working-in-real-time/Article1-810451.aspx |date=16 February 2012 }}</ref> Doval has also spoken internationally at global events, citing the ever-increasing need of co-operation between the major established and emerging powers of the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Power Shifts and International Order|url=http://www.isf.ethz.ch/isf/Program/Program-Guide/Plenary-Session/Power-Shifts-and-International-Order|publisher=ISF|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830033455/http://www.isf.ethz.ch/isf/Program/Program-Guide/Plenary-Session/Power-Shifts-and-International-Order|archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Indian National Security Advisor Doval in Washington (31398436340).jpg|thumb|250px| National Security Advisor Doval Meets with US Secretary [[John Kerry]] in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]]]

On 30 May 2014, Doval was appointed as India's fifth National Security Advisor.

In June 2014, Doval played a crucial role in ensuring the secure return of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in a hospital in [[Tikrit]], Iraq. After family members lost all contact from these nurses, following the [[Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)|capture of Mosul]] by [[ISIL]]. Doval, on a top secret mission flew to Iraq on 25 June 2014 to understand the position on the ground and make high-level contacts in the [[Federal government of Iraq|Iraqi government]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NSA Doval went on secret mission to Iraq|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nsa-doval-went-on-secret-mission-to-iraq/article6187353.ece|access-date=1 March 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=1 July 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301134039/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nsa-doval-went-on-secret-mission-to-iraq/article6187353.ece|archive-date=1 March 2015}}</ref>

Although the exact circumstances of their release are unclear, on 5 July 2014, ISIL militants handed the nurses to [[Kurdistan Regional Government|Kurdish]] authorities at [[Erbil]] city and an [[Air India]] plane specially-arranged by the Indian government brought them back home to [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-28173993|title=Indian nurses freed in Iraq given rapturous home welcome|work=BBC News|date=5 July 2014|via=www.bbc.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131071959/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-28173993|archive-date=31 January 2016}}</ref>

Along with [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Army Chief]] General [[Dalbir Singh Suhag]], Doval planned an [[2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar|cross-border military operation]] against [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland]] (NSCN-K) separatist operating out of [[Myanmar]]. Indian officials claimed that the mission was a success and 20<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/blow-by-blow-account-how-pm-modi-ajit-doval-army-chief-planned-covert-strike-against-militants/articleshow/47615318.cms |title=Blow-by-blow account: How PM Modi, Ajit Doval & Army chief planned covert strike against militants |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=2015-06-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614044806/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/blow-by-blow-account-how-pm-modi-ajit-doval-army-chief-planned-covert-strike-against-militants/articleshow/47615318.cms |archive-date=14 June 2015|last1=Sharma |first1=Aman }}</ref>-38 separatist belonging to [[Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland]] (NSCN-K) were killed in the operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|title=70 commandos involved in Myanmar operation|date=10 June 2015|publisher=Zee News|access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-myanmar-indian-army-national-socialist-council-of-nagaland-nscn-k-surgical-strike-indo-myanmar-border-chandel-manipur-6-dogra-regiment/97097|title=When Indian Army conducted surgical strike against NSCN(K) in June 2015|date=12 January 2018|work=Times Now News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/myanmar-operation-70-commandos-finish-task-in-40-minutes/articleshow/47617871.cms|title=Myanmar operation: 70 commandos finish task in 40 minutes|date=14 July 2018|work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ajit-doval-general-dalbir-singh-planned-retaliatory-strike-against-militants/articleshow/47622543.cms|title=NSA Ajit Doval, General Dalbir Singh planned retaliatory strike against militants - The Economic Times|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617000842/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ajit-doval-general-dalbir-singh-planned-retaliatory-strike-against-militants/articleshow/47622543.cms|archive-date=17 June 2015|last1=Sharma|first1=Aman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/nsa-ajit-doval-skipped-modi-dhaka-trip-for-myanmar-operations-51467.html|title=Ajit Doval skipped Dhaka trip for Myanmar operations-IndiaTV News|work=indiatvnews.com|date=10 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611135359/http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/nsa-ajit-doval-skipped-modi-dhaka-trip-for-myanmar-operations-51467.html|archive-date=11 June 2015}}</ref> However, the Myanmar government denied any strikes took place on Myanmar side of the border. According to Myanmar officials, the Indian operation against NSCN-K took place entirely on the Indian side of the border.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/14978-government-denies-india-operation-took-place-inside-myanmar.html|title=Government denies India operation took place inside Myanmar|work=Myanmar Times|date=11 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="DC">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150611/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-denies-indian-army-raid|title=Myanmar denies Indian Army raid inside its territory|date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614021044/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150611/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-denies-indian-army-raid|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

He is widely credited for the doctrinal shift in Indian national security policy in relation to Pakistan, switching from 'Defensive' to 'Defensive Offensive' as well as the 'Double Squeeze Strategy.'<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/world/pakistan/nsa-dovals-double-squeeze-strategy-will-never-succeed-pak/amp_articleshow/60791398.cms|title=NSA Doval's 'double squeeze' strategy will never succeed: Pak |work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923022645/http://m.timesofindia.com/world/pakistan/nsa-dovals-double-squeeze-strategy-will-never-succeed-pak/amp_articleshow/60791398.cms|archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> It was speculated that the September 2016 [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|Indian strikes in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir]] were his brainchild.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.india.com/news/india/meet-ajit-doval-the-man-behind-surgical-strikes-across-loc-1524025/ |title=Meet Ajit Doval, the man behind surgical strikes across LoC |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=2017-03-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203809/http://www.india.com/news/india/meet-ajit-doval-the-man-behind-surgical-strikes-across-loc-1524025/ |archive-date=22 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/ajit-doval-likely-to-visit-china-decoding-the-nsas-famed-doval-doctrine-for-indias-stand-on-beijing-3811603.html|title=Ajit Doval likely to visit China: NSA's famed 'Doval doctrine' and deconstructing India's stand on Beijing|date=2017-07-14|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901030234/http://www.firstpost.com/india/ajit-doval-likely-to-visit-china-decoding-the-nsas-famed-doval-doctrine-for-indias-stand-on-beijing-3811603.html|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indias-aggressive-approach-at-border-is-the-brainchild-of-nsa-ajit-doval/articleshow/54599228.cms?from=mdr|title=India's aggressive approach at border is the brainchild of NSA Ajit Doval|last=George|first=Glenn|date=2016-09-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-08-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906135135/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indias-aggressive-approach-at-border-is-the-brainchild-of-nsa-ajit-doval/articleshow/54599228.cms?from=mdr|archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ajit-doval-power-doctrine-much-better-empty-gandhi-giri-2379720.html|title=Power doctrine of Ajit Doval: Why it is much better than empty Gandhi-giri|date=2015-08-05|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901031741/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ajit-doval-power-doctrine-much-better-empty-gandhi-giri-2379720.html|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Narendra Modi being given a presentation on counter-terrorist and combing operation by the Defence Forces, at Pathankot Airbase. The National Security Adviser, Shri Ajit Doval, the Chief of Army Staff.jpg|alt=|thumb|235x235px|Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi with the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag and the Air Force Chief Arup Raha]]

Doval is widely credited along with then [[Foreign Secretary of India|Foreign Secretary]] [[Subrahmanyam Jaishankar|S. Jaishankar]] and Indian Ambassador to China [[Vijay Keshav Gokhale]], for resolving [[2017 China–India border standoff|Doklam Standoff]] through diplomatic channels and negotiations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/lite/story/doklam-standoff-china-pm-modi-nsa-ajit-doval/1/1035694.html|title=Inside story of how India achieved breakthrough in Doklam border standoff with China|website=m.indiatoday.in|access-date=2017-09-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901114609/http://m.indiatoday.in/lite/story/doklam-standoff-china-pm-modi-nsa-ajit-doval/1/1035694.html|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/doka-la-standoff-ajit-doval-proves-it-doesnt-take-a-diplomat-to-resolve-an-international-crisis-3992365.html/amp|title=Doka La standoff: Ajit Doval proves it doesn't take a diplomat to resolve an international crisis|website=www.firstpost.com|access-date=2017-09-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901114535/http://www.firstpost.com/india/doka-la-standoff-ajit-doval-proves-it-doesnt-take-a-diplomat-to-resolve-an-international-crisis-3992365.html/amp|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/lite/story/doklam-narendra-modi-china-ajit-doval-pla-beijing-bhutan/1/1036814.html|title=Meet Prime Minister Modi's key men who cracked Doklam for him|website=m.indiatoday.in|access-date=2017-09-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901085638/http://m.indiatoday.in/lite/story/doklam-narendra-modi-china-ajit-doval-pla-beijing-bhutan/1/1036814.html|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>

In October 2018, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG), which is the first tier of a three tier structure at the [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]] and forms the nucleus of its decision-making apparatus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-nsa-ajit-doval-to-head-new-strategic-policy-group-established-to-assist-national-security-council-470123|title=NSA Ajit Doval to head new Strategic Policy Group established to assist National Security Council|date=9 October 2018|website=www.indiatvnews.com}}</ref>

On 27 February 2019, tension rose between Indian and Pakistan after the [[2019 Balakot airstrike|Indian Air Force airstrike in Pakistan]] and later [[2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes|Pakistan Air Force retaliatory airstrike in India]] and subsequent capture of Indian pilot [[Abhinandan Varthaman]] by Pakistani military. The captured pilot was released on the next day by Pakistan. Pakistani officials claimed that the pilot was released as a gesture of peace and to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47412884|title=Abhinandan: Captured Indian pilot handed back by Pakistan|date=1 March 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47399126|title=Abhinandan: Crowds gather for Indian pilot's release|date=1 March 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref> Indian officials termed the release of Indian pilot as a major victory for India. Indian officials claimed that while Indian pilot was in the custody of Pakistan, Ajit Doval had held talks with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to secure the release of the Indian pilot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/abhinandan-varthaman-release-india-government-reaction-1467305-2019-02-28|title=Govt hails IAF pilot Abhinandan's release announcement as major victory for India|date=28 February 2019|work=India Today}}</ref>

He is popular in media as India's real life [[James Bond]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/know-about-indias-real-life-james-bond-who-stared-china-down-at-doklam/articleshow/60290358.cms|title=Doklam issue: Know about India's real-life James Bond who stared China down at Doklam|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/indian-james-bond-ajit-doval/|title=Meet Ajit Kumar Doval, The Indian James Bond You Probably Had No Idea About|first=Akarsh|last=Mehrotra|date=28 September 2015|website=www.scoopwhoop.com}}</ref>

On 3 June 2019, he was reappointed as NSA for 5 years and granted the personal rank of a [[Cabinet Minister (India)|Cabinet Minister]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ajit-doval-reappointed-national-security-advisor-gets-cabinet-rank-1541392-2019-06-03|title=Ajit Doval reappointed National Security Adviser, gets Cabinet rank in new Modi regime|first1=India Today Web Desk New|last1=DelhiJune 3|first2=2019UPDATED|last2=June 3|first3=2019 15:56|last3=Ist|website=India Today}}</ref> Doval is the first NSA to hold such a rank.

On 15 May 2020, the [[Tatmadaw|military forces of Myanmar]] handed over a group of 22 militant leaders, active in [[Assam]] and other [[Northeast India|northeast states]], to the Indian government. They were flown back in a special flight. The move is seen as a major diplomatic win for India and also a result of increasing intelligence and defence cooperation between the two nations. This was made possible through negotiations headed by Doval and his strategy against militant organizations in the Northeast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/after-nsa-ajit-dovals-intervention-myanmar-hands-over-22-northeast-insurgents-wanted-in-india-2283828.html|title=After NSA Ajit Doval's intervention, Myanmar hands over 22 northeast insurgents wanted in India|publisher=Manish Shukla|date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-myanmar-flushes-out-northeast-insurgents-hands-over-22-to-india/story-x3CcZ88zxPj54l6XtqTj6L.html|title=HT Exclusive: Nudged by Ajit Doval, Myanmar army hands over 22 northeast insurgents|publisher=Shishir Gupta|date= 15 May 2020}}</ref>

 

On 15 September 2020, Doval walked out of a virtual [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|SCO]] meeting after Pakistan projected what India labelled as a "fictitious" map containing parts of India. Doval left the meeting mid-way to protest against the move of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/nsa-ajit-doval-walks-out-of-virtual-sco-meet-after-pakistan-projected-fictitious-map/videoshow/78138921.cms|title=NSA Ajit Doval walks out of virtual SCO meet after Pakistan projected 'fictitious' map|work=The Economic Times|date=17 September 2020}}</ref>

* Doval was later awarded the [[President's Police Medal]].

* In 1988, Doval was granted one of the highest gallantry awards, the [[Kirti Chakra]], becoming the first police officer to receive a medal previously given only as a military honour.

==External links==

*[http://www.vifindia.org/author/shri-ajit-doval Articles by Ajit Doval]

*[https://instanttechblog.com/nsa-chief-ajit-kumar-doval-wiki-family-income-hindi/ Life of Ajit Doval in Hindi]

{{s-ttl|title=[[Director of Intelligence Bureau (India)|Director of Intelligence Bureau]]|years=2004–2005}}

[[Category:Alumni of the National Defence College, India]]