National Security Advisor Ajit Doval alludes to dragon, calls for stable Centre

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday asserted that the country should prepare for the futuristic warfare or the fourth generation warfare which involves fighting invisible enemies.

Addressing the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture here, he underscored that "there could be contactless wars, without big armies." "We should see how we could have technological excellence in warfare". Elaborating further on future threats, he explained that possession of superior weapons and large army may not make wars winnable.

Drawing parallels between India and China, Doval asked Indian private sector to perform and promote country's strategic interest. "See how China's Alibaba and others have become big companies. How much the Chinese government has supported them. Indian private sector companies too should perform and promote Indian strategic interest," he said.

Reminding that India was ahead of China in the 70s, he said: "India's economy is one of the biggest economies in the world. The international community recognises India as one of the fastest growing economies. We need a decisive government. Weak coalitions will be bad for India."

The NSA further said the country needs a strong, stable and decisive government for the next 10 years to achieve its political, economic and strategic objectives, asserting "weak coalitions will be bad" for the country. Unstable regimes are more vulnerable to fragility, corruption and local political interest taking precedence over the larger interests, he said.

Doval cited the example of Brazil that was doing well at the global level but political instability hampered its growth. "India cannot go for unstable coalitions. Till 2030, India needs a decisive government and decisive leadership," he added.

While describing democracy as India's strength that needs to be preserved, Doval said the country cannot afford to be a soft power for the next few years because it will be compelled to take hard decisions. He also stressed the need for adhering to the rule of law with religious commitment. "People's representatives do not govern us. We are governed by the laws made by them, therefore the rule of law is extremely important for the country," he maintained. The NSA suggested that the populist measures shouldn't take precedence over national requirements, describing them a temptation that you take or refrain from doing the thing which is in the national interest.

Without referring to the latest defence procurement issue, he said all defence hardware must be 100 per cent transfer of technology, which he said is the policy of the new government. Underlining the importance of technology for a flourishing economy, he said, it was prerequisite for becoming a major power. "Our economy has to be big, it has to be globally competitive, and that can only be when it is technologically ahead," he added

Speaking on Rule of Law and the importance of proper enforcement of it, Doval said, "Rule of law is very important. We should avoid any erosion in the rule of law. All temptations to undermine the rule of law should be avoided for a stronger India has to emerge."

Speaking on the fact that democracy requires people to be educated, enlightened and informed, he asserted that they should be rightly informed and educated.