All neighbours, except Bhutan, a problem: Doval

Doval was speaking on the core issues of security and need for engaging neighbouring countries to tackle problems which pose threat to the sovereignty of India while addressing a seminar in the national capital.

Doval said that good governance is essential for making India secure. ‘In fact, it is fundamental to eliminating problems of labour, employment and other issues,’ he said. ‘There are 800 million people in India below the age of 35. We have problems of urbanisation and youth,’ Doval added. Therefore, the need of the hour is to solve these problems.

However, when asked about the neighbouring countries, he said, ‘Both of India’s immediate neighbours are nuclear powers, aren’t very democratic and have an adverse view of India.’ But India is engaging with its neighbours with conflicting interests but the challenge is to engage diplomatically with them.

Talking about engagement with China, Doval said, ‘We have to use hard power and soft power in our engagement with China.’ In fact, he said that other than Bhutan we have a problem with all our borders.

‘Regional stability would come if India becomes a success story,’ he observed. He further added that we have to ensure that war does not remain a necessary option. Speaking about the demographic diversity, he said that it may be an asset but can become a source of threat also.

Speaking about import of arms by India, he said, ‘It’s a matter of disgrace that we are the biggest importer of arms.’ He also said that India’s security is more than tanks and aircraft.

When asked about how many Indian Muslims have been found to be inclined towards ISIS, the NSA said that only a few cases have been brought to the public eye. In fact, in 5-6 cases these young Muslim boys wanted to join ISIS and their parents approached police for help, Doval informed. He said, ‘In India, Muslim Ulema speaks out against ISIS and families will dissuade youngsters from joining that’s the difference.’

He further said that not even one Muslim association in India has supported ISIS, they’ve issued fatwas against it and warned the community against these terror groups. Ajit Doval said that inherent strength of India so strong it can take all the losses caused by terrorism into its stride.