Analysts say Doval’s ‘avenge history’ remarks reflect India’s hostile mindset
New Delhi: Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has said that India must strengthen itself not only militarily along its borders but in every sector, including the economy and social development, in order to “avenge history,” a statement widely viewed by analysts as reinforcing New Delhi’s confrontational mindset, ranging from denying the creation of Pakistan to outrage over its defeat by Pakistan in the May 2025 conflict.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing the “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue” in New Delhi, Doval invoked what he termed a painful history of attacks and subjugation, saying India needed to make itself “great again” in every domain. He said revenge, though not a good word, could nevertheless be a “huge force” in driving national policy.
Calling the audience of young delegates “leaders of the future”, Doval boasted strong leadership was essential and cited Narendra Modi as an example. Quoting Napoleon, he remarked that one lion leading a thousand sheep was more dangerous than a thousand lions led by a sheep.
Without mentioning utter defeat and shooting down of Indian fighter jets including Rafales at the hands of Pakistan, the NSA claimed that lack of security awareness in the past had led to painful consequences. He stressed that the youth must not forget these “lessons of history”.
Doval further stated that all global conflicts were rooted in security concerns and the urge to impose terms on other nations. Conflicts, he said, were driven not by psychopaths enjoying violence but by attempts to subjugate other countries for security interests.
Observers say Doval’s repeated emphasis on “avenging history”, strongman leadership and security-driven nationalism mirrors the broader ideological direction of the present Indian government and raises concerns about its implications for regional peace and India’s relations with its neighbours, including Pakistan.
