Ajit Doval recalls the China border mission that nearly ended his career. (Img: X)
Roorkee: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has opened a rare window into the most uncertain phase of his early intelligence career, recalling a tense border operation that left him convinced his professional future was at stake.
While addressing students at the convocation ceremony of IIT Roorkee, Doval narrated how a surveillance mission during his posting in Sikkim turned into a major operational crisis after a team deployed near the China border failed to return on schedule and was later found to be in Chinese custody.
For the young IPS officer, the incident was not only a professional challenge but also a deeply personal moment of anxiety, responsibility and accountability. Doval recalled that he believed the episode could bring his career to an abrupt end.
The episode dates back to Doval’s early years in the intelligence establishment when he was posted in Sikkim as a young officer. At the time, Sikkim was undergoing a historic political transition before becoming India’s 22nd state in 1975. The Himalayan region held immense strategic importance because of its geographical proximity to China and its sensitive border landscape.
As part of his intelligence responsibilities, Doval was involved in monitoring developments along the frontier and gathering information about activities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The assignment demanded precision, secrecy and a deep understanding of the challenging Himalayan terrain where even minor navigational errors could create significant operational complications.
Doval recalled that an intelligence team was sent on a border surveillance mission with an expected return period of a few days. However, as the scheduled timeline passed and there was no communication from the team, concern began to intensify. The uncertainty surrounding the personnel created both operational pressure and personal distress.
The situation escalated when information from the Intelligence Bureau headquarters confirmed that the team had been taken into Chinese custody and had undergone interrogation. The development created a serious security challenge at a time when border intelligence operations required extreme caution and strategic coordination.
Doval said the incident became one of the most difficult moments of his early professional life. As a young officer responsible for the operation, he feared that the failure would permanently damage his career trajectory within the intelligence system.
An internal inquiry was initiated to examine the circumstances behind the incident and assess whether any operational lapses had taken place. The investigation later found that Doval was not responsible for the episode.
The inquiry pointed towards errors in the maps and sketches provided to the team, which contributed to confusion regarding the exact border location. The team members were eventually released from Chinese custody and returned safely.
Doval also reflected on a conversation with a Tibetan Sherpa colleague that helped him overcome the difficult phase. The Sherpa’s advice, based on years of navigating challenging mountain terrain, gave Doval a broader perspective on uncertainty and decision-making.
The lesson revolved around three fundamental questions: understanding one’s current position, identifying the desired destination and choosing the correct path to reach the goal. Over the years, Doval said, the principle evolved beyond mountain navigation and became a framework for approaching complex situations in life and strategic affairs.
The backdrop of the incident was a crucial period in Sikkim’s political history. For centuries, Sikkim existed as a Himalayan kingdom ruled by the Namgyal dynasty. After Independence, the India-Sikkim Treaty of 1950 established a special relationship under which India handled defence, external affairs and communications while Sikkim retained internal autonomy.
In 1975, following political developments and a referendum, Sikkim became a part of India, altering the geopolitical landscape of the eastern Himalayas. The region continues to hold strategic significance due to its location near the India-China frontier.
Decades after the Sikkim episode, Ajit Doval rose through India’s security architecture to become one of the country’s key strategic policymakers. He served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau before being appointed National Security Adviser in 2014.
As NSA, Doval has been involved in shaping India’s national security approach, counter-terrorism strategy, border management framework and strategic diplomacy.
His latest recollection offers a rare glimpse into the uncertainties faced by intelligence officers operating in high-risk environments where decisions often carry national consequences.
Doval’s account highlights the unpredictable nature of intelligence operations, where incomplete information, geographical challenges and geopolitical tensions can create complex situations.
The Sikkim episode, which he once viewed as a possible career-ending setback, later became a defining experience that reinforced the importance of preparedness, clarity of purpose and strategic vision.
