NSA Ajit Doval Recalls 50-Year‑Old Intelligence Incident at IIT Roorkee

During a special event at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval delivered a speech that highlighted a forgotten intelligence incident from five decades ago. The incident, he said, involved the use of inaccurate maps that led to a critical misunderstanding with Chinese authorities. Doval detailed how the intelligence community had to navigate the complexities of Chinese custody during that period.

The talk, which was recorded for a video release by Zee News, aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by Indian intelligence officers in the Cold War era. Doval emphasized the importance of accurate cartographic information in national security operations.

Attendees at IIT Roorkee included senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Army. The event was part of a broader initiative to educate students and scholars about historical intelligence operations.

While the speech focused on the past, Doval urged current and future officers to learn from the mistakes of the past to strengthen India’s security apparatus.