NSA Doval
NEW DELHI: National security adviser Ajit Doval, widely referred to as India’s ‘spymaster or James Bond’, has revealed that he does not use a mobile-phone or internet in his day-to-day work. When asked if he used mobile or internet for routine work, the NSA replied, “It is true that I do not use internet. I also do not use a phone, except for family matters or for speaking to people in other countries, which is necessary. I manage my work that way. There are many other means of communication as well, and some additional methods have to be arranged that people are not aware of.” He said this while addressing the inaugural session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam here Saturday. Doval, who has been NSA since 2014, said it is important to take the right and farsighted decisions at the utmost time, particularly for the youth. However, the former IB director advised it is important to think about what “the next two steps will be before a person takes the first step”. He said India needs to strengthen itself as “we had a painful history of attacks and subjugation”. “We were a very advanced civilisation. We never broke anyone’s temples. We did not attack any foreigners, even when the rest of the world was weak, we did not understand the threats to our security. And, so history taught us a lesson. It is important that we remember that lesson because if the youth forget it, then it would be tragic for the country,” the NSA said. “Revenge is not a good word, but it can be a huge force. We have to avenge our history and take this country to the point where it is great again not just in terms of border security, but economy, social development, every aspect,” he said. The NSA spoke about the importance of decision-making in leadership and nation-building. “One common thing between when I was young and how I am today is the ability to make decisions. Whether you realise it or not, decision-making always walks with you. Youth take small and big decisions in daily life, and as you grow, these small decisions add up to big ones,” he said. “Napoleon once said, ‘I am not afraid of 1,000 lions led by a sheep, but I am afraid of 1,000 sheep led by a lion’. That is how important leadership is,” he explained. Expressing confidence in India’s future, Doval said, “India will be developed. The level to which our country has been brought under PM Modi, it will soon achieve the goal of being a developed nation. The real question is – who will lead the nation towards that development? If you want to be leaders on the path of Viksit Bharat, you must start making decisions now, and those decisions should be taken with a forward-looking vision, not just for today but for the future.”
