NSA Ajit Doval Given Cabinet Rank, to Continue for Next Five Years

Ajit Doval was in 2014 appointed as the fifth NSA in the rank of MoS. He is the first NSA to get a second term.

Narendra Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval watching a presentation on counter-terrorism and combing operation at Pathankot Airbase. 

(File Photo: PTI)

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was on Monday, 3 June, given a Cabinet rank in the Government of India in "recognition of his contribution in the national security domain," ANI reported.

Doval would continue as the NSA for the next five years. He was at the Ministry of Home Affairs office on Monday, where Amit Shah recently took charge as Union Home Minister.

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

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

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@AdityaRajKaul)

Doval was in May 2014 appointed as the fifth NSA in the rank of Minister of State. He is the first NSA to get a second term.

He had previously served as the Intelligence Bureau director in 2004-05.

Doval had played a key role during the Balakot air strike in February after the Pulwama terror attack and the cross-border surgical strike in 2016, officials cited by PTI 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 Bhutan, they said.

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, was India's main negotiator with the hijackers of Indian Airlines plane IC-814 taken to Kandahar in 1999.

(With inputs from PTI)