NSA Ajit Doval meets Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi for discussion on national security

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday to discuss matters of national security. According to a statement from the Raj Bhavan, the two had a "detailed and fruitful discussion on issues of national security concern." While the specifics of their conversation were not disclosed, the meeting has garnered attention due to its timing and context.

The meeting between NSA Doval and Governor Ravi comes at a time when speculation surrounds Ravi's role as Governor. Although his tenure officially ended on July 31, he remains in office, as no extension has been granted and no replacement has been announced. This has led to increased interest in his recent interactions, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah shortly after Modi assumed office for his third term. The discussions with Doval may hold additional significance in light of this ongoing uncertainty.

Adding to the importance of the meeting is Doval's recent visit to Sri Lanka, where he engaged in talks with Sri Lankan Tamil parties. The Sri Lankan Tamil issue is particularly resonant in Tamil Nadu, a state with a significant Tamil population that closely follows developments in the neighboring island nation. This background highlights the broader implications of the discussions between Doval and Governor Ravi, particularly in the context of regional security.


Governor R N Ravi’s three-year tenure in Tamil Nadu has been marked by tensions with the state's elected government, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Ravi has been openly critical of the Dravidian movement, describing it as "secessionist" and arguing that the Dravidian ideology is "an expired one."

In response, the DMK and its allies have accused Ravi of promoting the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), further straining the relationship between the Governor's office and the state government.

Prior to his role in Tamil Nadu, Ravi served as the Governor of Nagaland, where he acted as the interlocutor for the Naga peace process. While he was credited with extensive knowledge of insurgency issues in the North East, his tenure there was also controversial, with Naga militant groups accusing him of being an obstacle to reaching a settlement in the region.