National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday delivered a forceful and reflective address, calling upon India’s youth to draw lessons from the country’s past and channel them into building a strong, confident, and resilient nation. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Doval said India’s history—marked by sacrifice, suffering, and missed warnings—should ignite a sense of purpose among young Indians to ensure that the country never again remains indifferent to threats against its civilisation, sovereignty, and values.

Addressing a largely young audience, Doval began by reminding them of the privilege of being born in an independent India, stressing that freedom was neither inevitable nor easily achieved. He recalled the long and painful struggle against colonial rule, underscoring that independence was won only after generations of resistance, endurance, and sacrifice.

“You all are lucky that you were born in an independent India,” Doval said. “The free India we see today was not always like this. Our ancestors fought for independence for generations; they went through trials and tribulations that we can barely imagine today.” He invoked iconic figures of the freedom movement, noting how Bhagat Singh was executed, Subhash Chandra Bose dedicated his entire life to the cause of freedom, and Mahatma Gandhi endured relentless hardship and led mass movements rooted in moral resistance. Beyond these well-known names, he emphasised that countless unnamed men and women sacrificed their lives so future generations could live in freedom.

Doval painted a stark picture of India’s historical suffering, recalling how villages were destroyed, civilisations weakened, and places of worship looted while people were often left powerless to respond. These experiences, he said, were not merely chapters in history books but lessons that must shape the mindset of the present generation.

Reflecting on what he described as the darker chapters of India’s past, Doval argued that history poses a challenge to today’s youth. “Every youth should have a fire inside them,” he said, adding that remembrance of historical injustice should not lead to despair but to determination. He acknowledged that the word “vengeance” often carries negative connotations but suggested that, when understood in a constructive sense, it can become a powerful force for national renewal.

“The word ‘vengeance’ is not a good word, but it can be a huge force,” Doval said. “We have to avenge our history—not by hatred or destruction—but by taking this country to a point where we establish India as a great nation in terms of our rights, our vision, and our belief.” He clarified that his call was not for violence or retaliation, but for a collective resolve to correct historical weaknesses by strengthening the nation in every domain.

Speaking about Indian civilisation, Doval highlighted what he described as its fundamentally non-aggressive character. He said India possessed a highly developed civilisation that did not expand through conquest or destruction. “India didn’t demolish temples, nor loot any foreign land, nor attack any country,” he said, portraying Indian history as one rooted in tolerance, spiritual depth, and coexistence rather than domination.

However, Doval also offered a candid critique of this historical disposition. He argued that while India’s civilisational values were noble, they were sometimes accompanied by a dangerous lack of strategic awareness. “India didn’t understand the dangers it had,” he said. “It remained indifferent towards threats, and therefore history taught us a lesson.” He posed a direct question to the audience: “Did we learn that lesson?”

The NSA’s remarks suggested that moral strength alone is insufficient in a world shaped by power politics, competition, and conflict. According to Doval, the challenge before modern India is to preserve its civilisational ethos while also developing the strategic, military, and psychological strength required to deter aggression and protect national interests.

During his address, Doval also spoke at length about the nature of war and conflict, offering insights into why nations resort to force. Rejecting the idea that wars are driven by cruelty or bloodlust, he said conflicts are fundamentally about imposing or resisting a will. “Why do we fight wars?” he asked. “We are not psychopaths who get pleasure from seeing enemy corpses or dead bodies. Wars are not fought for that.”

He explained that the primary objective of war is to break the morale of the adversary so that it surrenders and accepts terms imposed by the victor. “Wars are fought to break a country’s morale, so that it will surrender according to our wishes and accept our terms, allowing us to achieve what we want,” Doval said. He emphasised that at the heart of any conflict lies the “will of the nation,” a factor he described as more decisive than weapons or numbers.

Drawing parallels with contemporary global conflicts, Doval said many wars today are driven by attempts by powerful countries to impose their will on others. “Even today, look at the wars and conflicts happening around the world. Some countries want to impose their will on others, and for that, they are using force,” he said. In this context, he stressed that national morale and unity are as critical as military capability.

Doval went on to underline the importance of leadership in maintaining a country’s strength and independence. He said that power ensures freedom, but power without morale and direction is meaningless. “If you are so powerful that no one can oppose you, you will always remain independent,” he said. “But if you have everything and yet lack morale, all your weapons and resources will be useless.”

According to the NSA, strong leadership is essential to harness a nation’s resources, inspire confidence, and maintain the collective will required to face challenges. In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Doval praised the current leadership, describing it as committed, hardworking, and dedicated to national progress.

“Today, we are very fortunate to have such leadership in the country,” he said. “A leadership that, in the last 10 years, has taken the country from where it was to where it is now, putting the nation into auto-mode.” He added that the government’s commitment and dedication serve as an inspiration and have helped strengthen India’s position on the global stage.

Doval’s speech blended historical reflection with strategic messaging, urging young Indians to remember the past without being trapped by it. His call to “avenge” history was framed not as a call for hostility, but as a demand for awareness, strength, unity, and resolve—qualities he believes are essential for ensuring that India’s future is not shaped by the mistakes of its past.