File photo: National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval
Mumbai, Maharashtra:
The National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval today denied reports that he had bypassed the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, by talking directly with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, when border tension between the two countries was escalating last month.
Mr Doval said, "If it's a police commissioner sitting here and if there is somebody's life to be saved, though it may be the job of a constable, but he will go and do it himself. So there is no question of embarrassing anyone and Sushma Swaraj was anyway not there at that time."
The NSA was reported to have spoken to Mr Basit thrice in two days last month when there were repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan. In normal circumstances, the foreign affairs ministry speaks to the High Commissioner of any country.
"It was absolutely necessary to tell them (Pakistan) without any loss of time that you stop it or else we will retaliate. This message was concurrently given to our High Commissioner in Islamabad and to the High Commissioner of Pakistan here. When there is an emergency, you do not go into who should be talking to whom," Mr Doval said in Mumbai.
The 70-year-old also played down the role of the Prime Minister's Office in dictating terms in all decision making matters. He said, "To say that the PMO dictates the terms, or calls the shots, it's completely wrong. It's all a team work and we work very closely as a team."
The former intelligence officer was in Mumbai to deliver a lecture.
Mr Doval said, "If it's a police commissioner sitting here and if there is somebody's life to be saved, though it may be the job of a constable, but he will go and do it himself. So there is no question of embarrassing anyone and Sushma Swaraj was anyway not there at that time."
The NSA was reported to have spoken to Mr Basit thrice in two days last month when there were repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan. In normal circumstances, the foreign affairs ministry speaks to the High Commissioner of any country.
"It was absolutely necessary to tell them (Pakistan) without any loss of time that you stop it or else we will retaliate. This message was concurrently given to our High Commissioner in Islamabad and to the High Commissioner of Pakistan here. When there is an emergency, you do not go into who should be talking to whom," Mr Doval said in Mumbai.
The 70-year-old also played down the role of the Prime Minister's Office in dictating terms in all decision making matters. He said, "To say that the PMO dictates the terms, or calls the shots, it's completely wrong. It's all a team work and we work very closely as a team."
The former intelligence officer was in Mumbai to deliver a lecture.
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