Indian National security advisor Ajit Doval has warned that India will fight not only on its own territory but also on foreign soil which becomes the source of a security threat.

The Minister’s remarks come in wake of the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control.

Doval addressed the Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh. He said that while India has never attacked anyone first, the new strategic thinking holds that perhaps we could have acted proactively to nip security threats. “It is not necessary that we only fight where you want to. India will take the battle to where the threat originates,” the NSA said. He also mentioned the doctrine of what he called “New India”.

However, officials clarified that Doval’s comments were not directed against anyone in the current context. “We never became aggressors to serve our personal interests. We will surely fight, on our soil as well as on foreign soil, but not for our personal interests. But in the interests of Parmarth spirituality,” Doval said.

“Ours is a civilisation state. It is not based on any religion, language or sect. What cannot be seen, what is the foundation of this nation… is its culture,” he added.

On the other hand, Doval’s remarks came when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat talked about China’s encroachment. According to the times of India, Doval’s comments came in wake of the government’s intent to apply the doctrine of pre-emption to nip security threats.

On the contrary, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a strong reply to the remarks. While addressing the anniversary of the Korean War, he said. “We will never sit back and allow damage to national sovereignty, security and development interests, and will never allow anyone or any force to invade and divide the sacred territory of the motherland. If such a serious situation occurs, the Chinese people will surely attack it head-on,” he said.