NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday lauded National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval for his contribution to India’s national security and foreign policy, saying the veteran intelligence officer has played a crucial role behind every major national security decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.Speaking at a function in Pune after presenting the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to Doval, Shah said the NSA’s advice and strategic inputs have been instrumental in strengthening India’s security architecture and defence preparedness.He also said Doval’s contribution to India’s internal and external security had been so significant that history would reserve “a golden page” for him.“NSA Ajit Doval has played a great role in strengthening India’s foreign policy. In every decision of PM Modi for national security, Doval has had a ‘role and advice’ in the background,” Shah said.“Whenever history is written, if anyone analyses internal security and external security, then clearly, for Ajit Doval ji, a golden page will have to be kept reserved; there is no doubt about this,” he added.
‘First selection’ after Modi became PM
Shah said one of the first decisions taken by PM Modi after assuming office in 2014 was appointing Doval as the National Security Advisor, a move he said transformed India’s strategic posture.“Today, India’s foreign policy has become a foreign policy with a backbone of steel; no one can deny this. We have, along with self-respect, strengthened our position in the world,” Shah said.Praising Doval’s decades-long career in the Intelligence Bureau, Shah said India has emerged as a stronger and more confident nation under Modi’s leadership, with Doval making a significant contribution to that transformation.“After becoming NSA in 2014, Doval helped implement many strategic ideas on the ground and played a major role in modernising India’s armed forces, strengthening technology, enhancing operational capability and improving the country’s defence preparedness,” Shah said.He added that the Modi government has fundamentally transformed both the defensive and offensive capabilities of the armed forces over the past 12 years, with Doval playing a key role in the process.Shah also noted that much of Doval’s contribution can never be made public because of the confidential nature of intelligence operations.Recalling his tenure as Gujarat’s home minister, Shah narrated how he first interacted with Doval following the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts. He said then chief minister Narendra Modi had advised Gujarat Police to consult Doval while investigating the attacks.“I remember Ajit ji had come to my house. The tips he gave resulted in Gujarat Police resolving not just the Ahmedabad bomb blast, but 13 bomb blasts across the country all at once. This was a very great achievement,” Shah said.
Shah invokes Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy
The Union home minister also paid tribute to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, calling him one of the foremost architects of India’s freedom movement.He said Tilak’s iconic slogan, “Swarajya is my birthright, and I shall have it,” gave a new direction to India’s freedom struggle and inspired generations of freedom fighters.Shah added that the slogan made Indians realise that self-rule was their right and not a favour bestowed by anyone.Describing Tilak as a fearless journalist, Shah said one could truly understand courage in journalism only by reading the articles published in Kesari, the newspaper founded by the freedom fighter.“How fearless a journalist can be can only be experienced by reading the articles of Kesari,” he said.Referring to Tilak’s role in mobilising people through the public Ganesh and Shivaji festivals, Shah said they laid the foundation for cultural nationalism and that India continues to follow the path envisioned by the freedom fighter.“India is now moving firmly on the path of cultural nationalism laid down by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and no one can reverse that journey,” he said.Shah further added that Tilak’s ideas on nationalism, self-rule and social awakening continue to guide the country and remain relevant for nation-building, particularly for the younger generation.
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‘Award will inspire those who serve the nation’
Shah said honours such as the Lokmanya Tilak National Award are not merely ceremonial but recognise those who dedicate their lives to the country and inspire future generations.“When such individuals are honoured, the feeling of gratitude of society towards them is discharged… Today, the Tilak Award that has been conferred upon Ajit Doval ji… for those who live for this country and work for this country, it will become a place of great inspiration,” he said.
Doval accepts award with humility
Accepting the Lokmanya Tilak National Award, Doval thanked the organisers and said he was honoured to receive an award named after Lokmanya Tilak.“I am thankful for this award named after Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and accept it with humility,” Doval said.Doval also praised the country’s leadership, saying, “We are very fortunate to have leaders like PM Modi and Amit Shah”.