Will IB's ex-director Ajit Doval be the new national security adviser?

[Dillinger]

It is good.

We are less likely to do something insane in terms of Pakistan.



Wait, the guys is not keralite. So no Kerala lobby here guys.

Thank the good lord, you pusillanimous lot would do us in.

 

[scholseys]

Hope this Chanakyan dalit becomes the next national security adviser.

 

[janon]

Hope this Chanakyan dalit becomes the next national security adviser.

What in the name of Thor is a "Chanakyan dalit?"

 

[hkdas]

It is good.

We are less likely to do something insane in terms of Pakistan.



Wait, the guys is not keralite. So no Kerala lobby here guys.

his full name is ajith kumar doval... sounds like a malayali(kerala) name!!

Hope this Chanakyan dalit becomes the next national security adviser.

he must be... he is the best....

 

[Abingdonboy]

In the process of picking the national security adviser (NSA), the most powerful person in the security establishment, PM-designate Narendra Modi on Monday met one of India’s finest intelligence professionals, Ajit Doval, for more than an hour at Delhi’s Gujarat Bhavan. Doval is the former director, Intelligence Bureau.

Modi discussed with him Kashmir, internal security, and the neighbourhood and beyond. Doval, a topper of IPS 1968 batch from Kerala cadre, has served with distinction in Mizoram, Punjab, Kashmir, Pakistan and the UK.

He is the chairman of Vivekananda International Foundation, a security and diplomatic think-tank based in Chanakyapuri.



Doval met BJP president Rajnath Singh after meeting the PM-designate.

The Modi-led BJP government is fast acquiring shape. On Monday, the PM-designate focused on key bureaucratic appointments and met prospective candidates for the jobs of NSA, principal secretary and cabinet secretary.

Senior sources told HT that Doval is being considered for NSA or minister of state for internal security if PM Modi wants a diplomat to be his adviser in the PMO. “If Modi wants to project economic diplomacy and a softer face, then the names under consideration are former UN envoy Hardeep Singh Puri, former foreign secretary, Kanwal Sibal and India’s ambassador to the US S Jaishankar,” said a senior BJP leader.

After meeting Doval, Modi is learnt to have met for over an hour Anil Baijal, former Union home secretary and the man behind the launch of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban

Renewal Mission (JNURM) as urban development secretary. Baijal was removed as the home secretary in 2004 by the UPA government as he was perceived to be close to former deputy prime minister LK Advani and the Vajpayee government.

A 1969-batch officer of UT cadre, Baijal has had an illustrious career, having served as chairman of Indian Airlines, CEO of Prasar Bharati and vice chairman of the Delhi Development Authority. Modi apparently discussed governance issues with Baijal.

Former TRAI chairman and 1967 batch UP cadre officer Nirpendra Misra met Modi after Baijal and discussed economic plans.

Apart from Baijal and Misra, former Gujarat cadre officers PK Mishra (of the 1976 batch who was Modi’s principal secretary in 2001 and retired as Union agriculture secretary), and Sanjiv Mishra (of the 1972 batch who retired as Union expenditure secretary), are in line for the job of PM’s principal secretary.

With cabinet secretary Ajit Seth retiring next month, Modi held consultations over who will replace him. The names being considered are PK Sinha, a 1977-batch officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who is the Union power secretary, and Saurabh Chandra, 1978-batch UP cadre officer who is the petroleum secretary.

While Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami briefed Modi on firing in the Akhnoor sector of Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday morning in which one jawan was killed and two others injured, a PMO joint secretary briefed Modi on governor vacancies. A meeting was held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, attended by top home ministry officials, on Modi’s swearing-in later this week and his meeting with the President on Tuesday. ”


Next NSA? Narendra Modi chats up Ajit Doval - Hindustan Times


@Abingdonboy @sancho Good decision?

For a position like this I think it is a VERY good idea to give it to the former IB chief, he has his finger on the pulse, he knows the ground realities, how things work in a security context and is just generally a smart move.

I like the way Modi is going about things so far- methodically and looking to get the right people in the right positions and this is what I had hoped for and what the Congress has lacked in most cases when in govt.

 

[axisofevil]

Thank the good lord, you pusillanimous lot would do us in.

Plz...the ppl of Kerala were first in South Asia to beat an European power and never subjuated by muslim invaders. So much for being timid! We are the realest warriors that ever lived. Even Ashoka and Muaryan Empire could not defeat us!

For a position like this I think it is a VERY good idea to give it to the former IB chief, he has his finger on the pulse, he knows the ground realities, how things work in a security context and is just generally a smart move.

I like the way Modi is going about things so far- methodically and looking to get the right people in the right positions and this is what I had hoped for and what the Congress has lacked in most cases when in govt.

That's what we Modi supporters already knew. We vote based on a record of goverance not some BS caste, religious overtones that you CONGRESS supporters love to hype up!

What in the name of Thor is a "Chanakyan dalit?"

Don;t mind him, he is just trying to divide our sentiment but he doesn't realize India and Indians have moved past caste a long time ago. The clueless peanut doesn;t realize dalits are very capable ppl

 

[Dillinger]

Plz...the ppl of Kerala were first in South Asia to beat an European power and never subjuated by muslim invaders. So much for being timid! We are the realest warriors that ever lived. Even Ashoka and Muaryan Empire could not defeat us!





That's what we Modi supporters already knew. We vote based on a record of goverance not some BS caste, religious overtones that you CONGRESS supporters love to hype up!




Don;t mind him, he is just trying to divide our sentiment but he doesn't realize India and Indians have moved past caste a long time ago. The clueless peanut doesn;t realize dalits are very capable ppl

Oh bhai, Ravi is a friend, I'm just pulling his leg, self loathing Keralite that he is.

Otherwise, with all respect due to Kerala and its people who form an integral part of India, it was a jape at Ravi not at the good people of Kerala.

 

[noksss]

Guys what did you think of V.K.Singh he seems to have lot of opposition in army circle itself for defence minister


Would a retired army chief make a good defence minister of the country? Finding an answer to this question has sparked off a raging debate among retired defence personnel ever since General (retired) V K Singh won the Lok Sabha election from Ghaziabad with a massive margin of more than five lakh votes.

Many of these men who have shed blood for the country are uncomfortable with Singh becoming defence minister.

"In order to avoid any chance of politicization within the army, I feel that it would be advisable that General V K Singh is not given the defence portfolio," said the former army chief, General V P Malik. He also said that there is professional responsibility and accountability at every level in the army. If Singh is allocated the MOD portfolio, the likelihood of professional interference in the functioning of the army can not be ruled out.

"Being a former army chief, General Singh is well versed with the functioning of the army. His extra 'advice' to the army chief and senior ranking officer can also put unnecessary pressure on them," Malik added.
Singh was recently asked if he was ready to become defence minister. He had said that he was a "disciplined army officer", and now a "disciplined party soldier" and would do whatever the party decided.

Former Army Commander, Western Command, Lt Gen (retd) P N Hoon said that Singh had set a wrong precedent by going to court against the government. "No member of the armed forces was impressed when he gave a statement against the army chief designate, Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag," Hoon said. "BJP should take a decision after considering the facts and circumstances." Hoon is closely associated with the BJP.
Former Commander of the Army's Northern and Central Commands, Lt General (retd) H S Panag called Singh a maverick. "V K Singh had an agenda during his tenure as army chief and also tried to scuttle Lt General Dalbir Suhag's appointment as army next army chief," said Panag.

Former Punjab governor and war veteran, Lt General (retd) J F R Jacob was in favour of inducting Singh "initially" as minister of state (MOS) only in the MOD considering his professional competency. Jacob, however, said, "Gen Singh is wrong about Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag whom I know to be a good potential army chief".



V K Singh as defence minister? Veterans queasy - The Times of India

 

[sms]

Oh bhai, Ravi is a friend, I'm just pulling his leg, self loathing Keralite that he is.

Otherwise, with all respect due to Kerala and its people who form an integral part of India, it was a jape at Ravi not at the good people of Kerala.

Dilli baba ki jai. Always pulling somthing.. be it leg or clo......

On topic, the approach Modi has taken is the right step. I had lengthy chat with my Bro in and his friend working in North Block. Both admit that there is a certain amount anxiety, fear, chaos and happiness.

Be ready to see lot of surprise and unorthodox decisions/ approaches

 

[Mike_Brando]

Hope this Chanakyan dalit becomes the next national security adviser.

All hail the great bangladeshi lungiwala from Canada!!What the heck are you doing in this forum,your friend Munshi is eagerly waiting for your lungi dance for the past couple of days.So go now and entertain him

 

[acid rain]

@noksss,

V K Singh seems more like a maverick and comes out looking a bit unstable - not ideal for a serious position. His gaffes about his role in kashmir and about the COAS appointments makes him look kind of immature - Modi should just let him loose against the naxals or against our terror spewing neighbor.

 

[Dillinger]

Guys what did you think of V.K.Singh he seems to have lot of opposition in army circle itself for defence minister


Would a retired army chief make a good defence minister of the country? Finding an answer to this question has sparked off a raging debate among retired defence personnel ever since General (retired) V K Singh won the Lok Sabha election from Ghaziabad with a massive margin of more than five lakh votes.

Many of these men who have shed blood for the country are uncomfortable with Singh becoming defence minister.

"In order to avoid any chance of politicization within the army, I feel that it would be advisable that General V K Singh is not given the defence portfolio," said the former army chief, General V P Malik. He also said that there is professional responsibility and accountability at every level in the army. If Singh is allocated the MOD portfolio, the likelihood of professional interference in the functioning of the army can not be ruled out.

"Being a former army chief, General Singh is well versed with the functioning of the army. His extra 'advice' to the army chief and senior ranking officer can also put unnecessary pressure on them," Malik added.
Singh was recently asked if he was ready to become defence minister. He had said that he was a "disciplined army officer", and now a "disciplined party soldier" and would do whatever the party decided.

Former Army Commander, Western Command, Lt Gen (retd) P N Hoon said that Singh had set a wrong precedent by going to court against the government. "No member of the armed forces was impressed when he gave a statement against the army chief designate, Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag," Hoon said. "BJP should take a decision after considering the facts and circumstances." Hoon is closely associated with the BJP.
Former Commander of the Army's Northern and Central Commands, Lt General (retd) H S Panag called Singh a maverick. "V K Singh had an agenda during his tenure as army chief and also tried to scuttle Lt General Dalbir Suhag's appointment as army next army chief," said Panag.

Former Punjab governor and war veteran, Lt General (retd) J F R Jacob was in favour of inducting Singh "initially" as minister of state (MOS) only in the MOD considering his professional competency. Jacob, however, said, "Gen Singh is wrong about Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag whom I know to be a good potential army chief".



V K Singh as defence minister? Veterans queasy - The Times of India

Yes, VK Singh's appointment to the MoD could cause issues. Although I will not impute any self serving motive as such (not because there isn't circumstantial evidence that might point towards a motive but rather out of respect) to his opposition to the appointment of the COAS it does leave the armed forces wary that an ex chief can join a political party (even if his intentions be bonafide) and then serve in the MoD, perhaps even as a superior to the COAS who follows him.

Not in terms of the specific merits of VK Singh or any other ex-COAS who might find himself in such a situation, but in terms of the de-merits of setting such a precedent, I would opine that it would not be a good move and could very well be used by parties or dispensations which shall follow (in the years from now) to use said precedent to further politicize the army by dangling it as an incentive for the serving COAS of that time.

 

[noksss]

Yes, VK Singh's appointment to the MoD could cause issues. Although I will not impute any self serving motive as such (not because there isn't circumstantial evidence that might point towards a motive but rather out of respect) to his opposition to the appointment of the COAS it does leave the armed forces wary that an ex chief can join a political party (even if his intentions be bonafide) and then serve in the MoD, perhaps even as a superior to the COAS who follows him.

Not in terms of the specific merits of VK Singh or any other ex-COAS who might find himself in such a situation, but in terms of the de-merits of setting such a precedent, I would opine that it would not be a good move and could very well be used by parties or dispensations which shall follow (in the years from now) to use said precedent to further politicize the army by dangling it as an incentive for the serving COAS of that time.

@noksss,

V K Singh seems more like a maverick and comes out looking a bit unstable - not ideal for a serious position. His gaffes about his role in kashmir and about the COAS appointments makes him look kind of immature - Modi should just let him loose against the naxals or against our terror spewing neighbor.

We should never allow to politicize the army. Afterall army is one of the very few institution in india where people have still faith on .Hence i too feel that this guy shouldnt be the defence minister but how about Mos defence for him ?

 

[OrionHunter]

Excellent choice! Check out his credentials....

> Years ago during the Mizoram conflict, then separatist leader Laldenga of Mizo National Front had claimed that Doval had won over 6 of his 7 militant army commanders!

> He spent long periods of time incognito with the Mizo National Army in the Arakan in Burma and inside Chinese territory.

> In Punjab, he was behind the rescue of Romanian diplomat Liviu Radu and the success of Operation Black Thunder.

> He is said to have planned out the Punjab state elections of 1992.

> Doval spent six years in Pakistan. He went to Kashmir in 1990 and persuaded militants (like Kuka Parey) to become counter-insurgents targeting hardline anti-India terrorists. This set the way for state elections in J&K in 1996.

> Doval was India's main negotiator with the hijackers of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in Kandahar in 1999.

> He retired from service on January 31, 2005 from the position of Director, Intelligence Bureau. In January 2009, he was chosen by the Government of Karnataka as its Security Adviser.

> His writings have been published widely in International journals, domestic and international media, and he is known for its clear insight and vision for Indian and global security issues. He has spoken extensively nationally and internationally on strengthening Indian security apparatus and closer cooperation amongst security forces globally.

So, who better than him? Considered a hawk, he'll fit well in Modi's team.

And where the appointment of Defence Minister is concerned, it is purely a political appointment reserved for senior political leaders. Don't be surprised if Paswan gets it!

 

[Dillinger]

Excellent choice! Check out his credentials....

> Years ago during the Mizoram conflict, then separatist leader Laldenga of Mizo National Front had claimed that Doval had won over 6 of his 7 militant army commanders!

> He spent long periods of time incognito with the Mizo National Army in the Arakan in Burma and inside Chinese territory.

> In Punjab, he was behind the rescue of Romanian diplomat Liviu Radu and the success of Operation Black Thunder.

> He is said to have planned out the Punjab state elections of 1992.

> Doval spent six years in Pakistan. He went to Kashmir in 1990 and persuaded militants (like Kuka Parey) to become counter-insurgents targeting hardline anti-India terrorists. This set the way for state elections in J&K in 1996.

> Doval was India's main negotiator with the hijackers of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in Kandahar in 1999.

> He retired from service on January 31, 2005 from the position of Director, Intelligence Bureau. In January 2009, he was chosen by the Government of Karnataka as its Security Adviser.

> His writings have been published widely in International journals, domestic and international media, and he is known for its clear insight and vision for Indian and global security issues. He has spoken extensively nationally and internationally on strengthening Indian security apparatus and closer cooperation amongst security forces globally.

So, who better than him? Considered a hawk, he'll fit well in Modi's team.

And where the appointment of Defence Minister is concerned, it is purely a political appointment reserved for senior political leaders. Don't be surprised if Paswan gets it!

Doval, as our Bangladeshi friend put it, is a chanakyan strategist.

As for the MoD, I disagree with the notion of it being a department that does not require a hard nosed politician who also happens to be an "agenda driver", the MoD as the apex body in matters of defense had control of so many things and in conjunction with the PMO and MoF it works upon so many structural issues that it cannot be left to anyone or anybody, it needs a minister in sync with Modi and who has the gumption to work in close coordination with the executive to give our armed forces the booster shot they need atm.