Also Read|India-US 2+2 Dialogue: Mike Pompeo, US Defence Secy To Reach India Today, Key Military Pact On Agenda
Several media houses projected Doval's statement at the ashram as a remark on China. After the controversy emerged on Doval's statement, the Centre issued a clarification saying he was speaking purely in a civilisational and spiritual context.
The clarification also stated that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was in Rishikesh to attend a religious function and did not refer to any country or specific situation while talking to the media.
Speaking at Parmarth Niketan in Uttarakhand yesterday, Doval highlighted how India as "Rastra" or civilization existed, but as a "Rajya" or nation came to being in 1947.
NSA Doval said, "Our state, India is a civilizational state, it's not based on religion, not based on language, nor ethnicity but on a civilization".
He lauded India's saints and the role they played in Nation Building. Doval also called on to spread the message of India's spirituality.
"States are bound by physical dimensions but the nation is an emotional bond which is bound by the common thread of spirituality and culture in which there is a collective sense of pride. Role of our Gurus and spiritual centres is to guard this larger sense of collective identity," the NSA had said.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat warns China
Meanwhile, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat warned China and expressed confidence in the Indian troops saying, “We must be prepared and the Indian Troops responded well to China’s misadventure.”
We don't secure our Rashtra, we only try to secure our Rajya, Doval said adding that ‘Rashtra’ is created by India's saint and that ‘Rajya’ can end but ‘Rashtra’ can never end.
Also Watch|What is NSA Ajit Doval's warning of 'war' for enemies?