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Ajit Doval Elevated To Cabinet Rank, Will Remain NSA for Another 5 Years

Doval was appointed as the NSA in May 2014 in the rank of Minister of State.
Hindustan Times via Getty Images

NEW DELHI — Ajit Doval was on Monday appointed as the National Security Adviser (NSA) for a second consecutive term and elevated to the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, according to a Personnel Ministry order.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment for a five-year period with effect from May 31, 2019 and it will be co-terminus with the term of the prime minister, it said.

“During the term of his office, he will be assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister,” the order said.

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Doval was in May 2014 appointed as the fifth NSA in the rank of Minister of State.

He is the first National Security Adviser to get a second term.

Doval has been widely hailed for his contribution in the national security domain during his last five-year tenure. He had played a key role during the Balakot air strike after the Pulwama terror attack and the cross-border surgical strike, officials said.

He also drew praise for his role during the 73-day stand-off between India and China at Doklam — situated at a tri-junction between India, China and Myanmar, they said.

Doval retired in January 2005 as the chief of Intelligence Bureau.

After a few years in uniform, he had worked as an intelligence officer for over 33 years during which he had served in the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

Doval, a 1968-batch IPS (retired) officer, known as one of the best operational brains within intelligence circles, was India’s main negotiator with the hijackers of Indian Airlines plane IC-814 taken to Kandahar in 1999.

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