Who will lead a developed India? How capable will they be? Ajit Doval

New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday said India is on track to become a developed nation at the pace set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even if the country operates on "autopilot". He also reflected on the current global situation, citing ongoing wars and conflicts across the world.

Speaking at the Vikshith Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi, Doval urged the youth to strengthen their decision-making skills, saying the ability to take strong and timely decisions is essential for leadership in all fields.

"I have forgotten my youth, your youth has changed a lot, I am unaware of many things. But one thing is very common in both, I have observed that when I was young, and now, it is always with you... That is your decision-making ability... India will definitely develop."

"India is developing at the pace and speed set by Prime Minister Modi. Even if it is running on autopilot, it will still develop," Doval said. 

He stressed that the real question is who will lead a developed India in the future and how capable that leadership will be. "But the question is: Who will lead this developed India? How capable will they be? The greatest strength of a leader is to make the right decisions.

"They take decisions on time and implement those decisions with full confidence and conviction. So if you want to be the leader of a developed India, in any field like science, technology, security, you will have to take decisions and from now on you will have to develop this decision-making ability," he said. 

Doval said a nation's will is its greatest strength, adding that wars are not fought for violence but to break the morale of an adversary. His remarks came amid recent global conflicts, including the US military action led by Donald Trump in Venezuela that led to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, and Trump's repeated warnings to other countries.

 "You can increase your willpower. That same willpower becomes national strength. Why do we fight wars? 

We are not psychopaths who derive great satisfaction or pleasure from seeing the dead bodies, corpses, and severed limbs of our enemies. Wars are fought to break the morale of a country so that it will surrender to our wishes, accept our terms, and allow us to get what we want... Wars are fought for the will of the country.  Look at all the wars and conflicts that are going on today; some countries want to impose their will on others, and for that they use force. "Doval added that without courage and leadership, strength alone is not enough. "If you are so strong that no one can oppose you, you will always remain free. But if you have everything without that morale, all your weapons and resources will be useless, and for that you need leadership." "Today, we are very fortunate to have such leadership in the country. A leadership that has taken the country from where it was to where it is now, and put it on the path of rapid progress. Their commitment, hard work and absolute dedication are an inspiration to us all." He praised India's current leadership and the country's progress in recent years.