'Regime Changes In Neighbouring Countries A Result Of Bad Governance': NSA Ajit Doval

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 21:05 IST

NSA Ajit Doval emphasised governance's role in nation-building, citing regime changes in Bangladesh and Nepal as results of poor governance.

India’s NSA Ajit Doval. (File pic)

On the occasion of National Unity Day, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday asserted the role of governance in nation-building and said regime changes in neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and Nepal, were a result of bad governance. Addressing the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on Governance, Doval highlighted the relevance of Sardar Patel’s vision in today’s India.

“The rise and fall of the great empires, monarchies, oligarchies, aristocracies or democracies is actually a history of their governance. In the recent cases of regime change through non-constitutional methods in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others, these were actually cases of poor governance. And that is how governance matters," Doval said.

Doval stressed that effective governance is essential for securing a nation and achieving its goals. He highlighted that governance plays a pivotal role in shaping a nation’s future and ensuring its stability.

“I would like to share a perspective on how a security man looks at the process of governance. I believe governance plays a seminal role in the nation-building process, as well as in securing a nation and helping it achieve its goals and aspirations. It is indeed very befitting that in 2025, we should be reinventing Sardar Patel," Doval said.

Expressing the need to uphold Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision, Doval mentioned that India is experiencing an “orbital shift" in governance and its position in the global order.

He emphasized the importance of Patel’s vision in uniting India and fostering a strong nation, noting that Patel’s leadership is more necessary than ever.

“His (Sardar Patel’s) vision is required in India today more than ever before. Not only is India in a transition, India is also having an orbital shift from a certain type of governance and government structures, societal structures, and its place in the global order. The world is also undergoing a great transformation. Whenever the change comes, the most important thing is clarity of vision; the noise and threats do not sway you. You are not getting subdued by the adversities and the possible threats. You have to prepare yourself and you have to equip yourself," the NSA said.

Doval highlighted India’s significant transformation in governance structures, societal dynamics, and global standing.

“Converting the civilisation into a nation-state is a stupendous task. He knew that it could only be achieved through a highly effective governance mechanism. The government has got to think and do beyond what is normally expected," the NSA added.

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