India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has delivered a powerful analysis on the root causes of global conflicts, linking them directly to the desire of some nations to dominate others. He simultaneously issued a clarion call for India to build comprehensive national power across all domains.
The Core Cause of Conflict According to Doval
Speaking on 10 January 2026, Ajit Doval, a key figure in India's security architecture, provided a stark diagnosis for international strife. He asserted that wars and conflicts do not emerge from a vacuum. Instead, they are fundamentally triggered when certain countries attempt to force their own will and systems upon other sovereign states. This imposition, he suggested, is a primary driver of instability and violence in the world order.
India's Path: Beyond Border Strength
Doval did not stop at a theoretical explanation. He pivoted to India's strategic imperative, drawing from the nation's long and painful historical narrative. He emphasized that for India, the lesson is clear: strength is the ultimate guarantor of security and sovereignty. However, this strength, according to the NSA, must be holistic.
India would need to strengthen itself not just at the borders, but in every other way, including economically, he stated. This multi-dimensional approach encompasses military might, technological prowess, economic resilience, and social cohesion. The objective he outlined is profound – to build a nation so powerful that it can effectively "avenge" a painful history marked by external attacks and centuries of subjugation. This framing moves beyond mere defense to a proactive building of destiny.
Strategic Implications and the Road Ahead
Doval's comments underscore a strategic doctrine that views national security through a wide lens. It connects external threats directly to internal capabilities. The call for economic strength is particularly significant, positioning a robust economy as the bedrock that sustains military modernization and strategic autonomy.
This vision implies a long-term, unwavering commitment to self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) across critical sectors. The message is that only by becoming an indisputably strong and unified entity can India safeguard its future and ensure that the trials of its history are not repeated. The statement, made in early 2026, sets a definitive tone for India's national security and economic priorities in the years to come.
