Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday credited National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval with playing a pivotal role in transforming India’s defence capabilities over the past 12 years, saying the country’s armed forces have undergone a major shift in both defensive and offensive strength.

Addressing a programme after presenting the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to Mr. Doval here, Mr. Shah said the NSA has also played a significant role in strengthening India’s foreign policy and has provided advice for every decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding national security.

“In the last 12 years, the Narendra Modi government has transformed our armed forces’ security capabilities as well as their offensive capabilities, and Doval Saheb has made a pivotal contribution to this transformation,” Mr. Shah said. He noted that the first selection Mr. Modi made after assuming office in 2014 was to appoint Mr. Doval as the NSA.

Mr. Shah hailed Mr. Doval’s career in the Intelligence Bureau, crediting him with laying the foundation for the Multi-Agency Centre, which serves as the backbone of internal security. He added that much of the NSA’s work can never be fully revealed due to the nature of intelligence operations.

Recalling their association during his tenure as Gujarat Home Minister, Mr. Shah said then Chief Minister Narendra Modi introduced him to Mr. Doval after the 2008 serial blasts .“Based on his inputs, the Gujarat police not only investigated the Gujarat serial blasts but also solved 13 other bomb blast cases across the country. It was a major achievement,” Mr. Shah said.

The Union Minister said that when the history of Mr. Modi’s tenure is written, a “golden chapter” would have to be reserved for Mr. Doval’s contribution to India’s national security architecture.

“Between 2005 and 2014, he deliberated extensively on strengthening the country’s internal and external security. Those ideas remained confined to books until 2014. After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister and appointed him National Security Advisor, those ideas were translated into action,” Mr. Shah added.

Cultural nationalism

Hailing Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s seminal work, Gita Rahasya, Mr. Shah urged the youth to read the Bhagavad Gita through Tilak’s perspective. “If the youth of the country read the Gita through the perspective of Tilak Maharaj, they will never commit mistakes in life,” Mr. Shah said.

He also exhorted the younger generation to read Tilak’s work, saying, “Tilak Maharaj’s writings will never go out of fashion. They are eternal and will continue to guide the nation”.

The Union Minister said Tilak’s immortal slogan, “Swarajya is my birthright, and I shall have it,” gave a new direction to India’s freedom struggle and inspired generations of freedom fighters.

Mr. Shah said the slogan made people realise that self-rule was their right and not a favour from anyone. He said Tilak’s life and teachings continue to inspire the country’s youth and remain relevant in nation-building.

“Tilak united people and connected them with the freedom movement through the public Ganesh festival. India is now moving firmly on the path of cultural nationalism laid down by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and no one can reverse that journey,” Mr. Shah added.

Describing Tilak as one of the foremost architects of India’s freedom movement, Mr. Shah said his ideas on nationalism, self-rule and social awakening continue to guide the nation.

Addressing the event, Mr. Doval said he was thankful for the award named after Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and was accepting it with humility.

He called upon the country’s youth to dedicate themselves fully to national interest and rise above personal gains, urging them to make the most of the “window of opportunity” before India to build a stronger nation.

He also said that today’s youth may feel that freedom means doing whatever they want, but that is not the case.