National Security Advisor Ajit Doval asserted on Friday that India has effectively neutralised terrorism across the mainland, with the last major incident occurring in 2013, excluding ongoing challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on Governance, organised by the India International Centre to commemorate Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Doval emphasised that "facts are facts" and cannot be disputed. He highlighted proactive measures, including arrests and seizures of explosives, that have thwarted enemy attempts despite their continued activity.

This claim aligns with government data showing a sharp decline in large-scale attacks in non-J&K regions since the 2016 Pathankot airbase assault and 2019 Pulwama bombing, both confined to the Kashmir theatre, though critics point to isolated incidents like the 2025 Pahalgam attack as evidence of persistent vulnerabilities. Doval's remarks underscore a decade-long strategy blending intelligence, border fortification, and international diplomacy to curb cross-border threats.

Doval also noted significant progress against left-wing extremism, stating it now affects less than 11 percent of the areas it did in 2014. Official figures corroborate this, with affected districts dropping from 126 in 2010 to 38 by 2024, and violent incidents plummeting 81 per cent from 1,936 in 2010 to 374 last year. He attributed the success to sustained operations, with over 8,000 Maoists surrendering in the past decade, and development initiatives like telecom expansion and fortified police stations enhancing security in remote tribal belts.

The government aims to eradicate the threat entirely by March 2026, viewing it as a prerequisite for equitable growth in central and eastern India. This multi-pronged approach, including the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, has reduced civilian and security personnel deaths by 85 per cent, fostering stability in formerly volatile zones.

Beyond internal security, Doval stressed the need for deterrence to reassure citizens against both domestic and external dangers, ensuring responses align with national interests. He advocated for governance that not only implements laws but also instills public confidence through credible threats of retaliation. In the lecture, delivered on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—India's first Home Minister and architect of national integration—Doval called for "reinventing" Patel's vision amid India's "orbital shift" in global standing. This includes adapting to technological disruptions and societal changes, where effective administration determines a nation's resilience and progress.

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Doval linked recent political upheavals in neighbouring countries—such as Bangladesh's 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis, and Nepal's leadership transitions—to "poor governance", warning that non-constitutional regime changes exacerbate instability. He argued that history's rise and fall of empires hinge on administrative efficacy, urging India to prioritise unity and institutional strength to avoid similar pitfalls. As the country navigates complex regional dynamics, Doval's address reinforces the Modi administration's narrative of enhanced security and assertive foreign policy, positioning strong governance as the bedrock for India's ascent as a global power.

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