New Delhi: The pair of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval are counted among the world’s strongest and trusted strategic teams. Former US NSA John Bolton also considers it. In an interview to Firstpost, Bolton says that PM Modi’s trust in an experienced and stable advisor like Doval is the biggest strength of India’s foreign and security policy.
Bolton further said in the interview that on the contrary, Donald Trump could not keep a single national security advisor in America, which he could continuously trust. The NSA in Trump administration was repeatedly changed, the strategy remained incomplete and the decisions were taken in a hurry. John Bolton believes that Trump only likes those who agree with his words. Whereas leaders like PM Modi understand the importance of advice and expertise.
Donald Trump and John Bolton. (File photo aFP)
Bolton praises on Modi-Dabuti pair
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton described Prime Minister Modi and Ajit Doval’s relationship as ‘positive and stable’ in a special conversation with Firstpost. He said, “The effect of Doval is clearly visible in strategic decisions. PM Modi trusts him.”
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Bolton himself was the NSA in Trump administration from April 2018 to September 2019. He was the longest advisor to hold the post during Trump’s tenure. Despite this, he admitted that this level strategic stability could never be formed in America. On the other hand, Ajit Doval is a continuous NSA of India since May 2014 and has become the most important pillar of the country’s security policy.
PM Modi and Ajit Doval during a high level meeting in Delhi. (Photo PTI)
Trump does not like advice, just needs consent
When the firstpost asked John Bolton why Donald Trump could not make the same stability, he made a big statement. Bolton said, “Trump likes people who have yes to mix yes. They do not want to hear the advice, they just want support on their decision.”
He said that the work of a responsible National Security Advisor is not just supporting, but it is to ask if you considered all the options? Have you tested its advantages and disadvantages?
Bolton said, “Finally the decision is that of the President, but it is important that he should take the decision on the basis of complete information and thinking. Unfortunately Trump does not do this. This is his biggest weakness.”
Turns in the White House, removed from signal chat scandal NSA
The example of how unstable Donald Trump’s administrative style was from him repeatedly changing the NSA. Mike Waltz was removed from the post in a few months of the tenure. The ‘signal chat leak’ was behind it. In this, the US military scheme was made public by mistake. After this, Trump appointed Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio as acting NSA. But even this appointment could not last long. These incidents show how much strategic stability was lacking in the Trump administration.
Mike Waltz was removed from the post in a few months of the tenure. (File photo aFP)
Trump’s haste on India-Pakistan ceasefire
When there was a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after tension for three days, Donald Trump immediately took a credit on social media. But India immediately clarified that the agreement was completely bilateral and America had no role in it. Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar clearly stated in an interview to the Netherlands’ media NOS, “On May 10, the Pakistani Army sent a proposal to stop the firing and we accepted it. America was only in the role of a supervisor who talks to countries during every struggle.”
When there was a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after tension for three days, Donald Trump immediately took a credit on social media. (Photo AP)
Jaishankar bluntly said, “America and other countries express concerns but India and Pakistan themselves took the decision.”
Early to take credit for Trump
When the firstpost asked if Trump took the credit ahead of time, John Bolton said, “Trump always does the same. He likes to draw everyone’s attention whether he has taken the decision or not.” Bolton said that if there was a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, it happened by military level negotiations and not with the mediation of a third country. He said, “Whenever Trump joins, he wants to show himself a ‘hero’ even if the reality is something else.”
