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Context: India has a new chief of its external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Ravi Sinha, a senior IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was appointed as the new R&AW chief on  June 19, 2023. He will succeed incumbent Samant Goel, who will complete his tenure on June 30, 2023.

Details

• Sinha is a 1988 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who has served in various capacities in the police and intelligence departments. He is currently the Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, which oversees the functioning of R&AW and other intelligence agencies.
• He is known for his operational skills and expertise in neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. He has also been instrumental in infusing modern technology into the field of intelligence collection and analysis.
• Sinha will have a tenure of two years as the R&AW chief.

Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)

• The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is India's premier foreign intelligence agency, responsible for gathering and analyzing information from various sources to protect and promote the country's national interests.
• It was established in 1968, it has played a crucial role in shaping India's foreign policy and security strategy over the years.

History

• R&AW was created in the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, when India realized the need for a dedicated external intelligence agency to counter the threats from its neighbours.
• The agency was initially a wing of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India's domestic intelligence agency, but was later separated and given an independent status under the Cabinet Secretariat.
• The first chief of R&AW was Rameshwar Nath Kao, a veteran intelligence officer who is widely regarded as the father of Indian intelligence. Under his leadership, R&AW quickly gained prominence in the global intelligence community and carried out several successful operations, such as;
  • Accession of Sikkim to India in 1975
  • Creation of Bangladesh in 1971
  • Support to the anti-Soviet Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s.

Structure

• R&AW is headed by a Secretary (Research), who is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the rank of Director General of Police. The current chief of R&AW is Samant Goel, who took charge in June 2019. He will be succeeded by Revi Sinha, another IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, from July 2023.
• The Secretary (Research) reports directly to the Prime Minister of India and is accountable to a parliamentary committee on intelligence matters.
• It has several branches and divisions that deal with different aspects of intelligence collection and analysis, such as political, economic, scientific, technical, cyber, covert action, counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism.
• It has several subordinate agencies that provide specialized services, such as the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), which operates a fleet of aircraft for aerial reconnaissance;
  • The Electronics and Technical Services (ETS): Handles signals intelligence and cryptography
  • The Radio Research Centre (RRC): Monitors foreign radio broadcasts
  • The Special Group (SG): An elite commando unit for covert operations.

Functions

Collect and analyze foreign intelligence

• R&AW's main function is to collect and analyze foreign intelligence that is relevant to India's national security and foreign policy interests. This includes information on political, military, economic, social, cultural and scientific developments in other countries, especially those that have a bearing on India's relations with them.

 Conducts covert operations

• It conducts covert operations to advance India's strategic objectives or to counter threats from hostile actors. Some of these operations include supporting friendly regimes or movements, sabotaging enemy assets or capabilities, assassinating or capturing high-value targets, infiltrating or exfiltrating agents or assets, and conducting psychological warfare or propaganda campaigns.

Provides counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism services

• It provides counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism services to protect India from espionage, sabotage or subversion by foreign or domestic adversaries. This involves detecting and neutralizing enemy agents or networks operating within or outside India, preventing or disrupting terrorist plots or activities against India or its interests abroad, and enhancing India's cyber security and resilience.

Achievements

The creation of Bangladesh in 1971

• R&AW played a key role in supporting the liberation movement of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) against West Pakistan (now Pakistan) during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. R&AW provided training, arms, funds and intelligence to the Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) and facilitated their coordination with the Indian Army.
• R&AW also conducted covert operations to sabotage Pakistan's military infrastructure and communication systems, disrupt its supply lines and morale, and influence international opinion in favour of Bangladesh's independence.

The accession of Sikkim to India in 1975

• R&AW cultivated close ties with the pro-India political parties and leaders in Sikkim and persuaded them to demand greater autonomy from the monarchy.
• It engineered a popular referendum that showed overwhelming support for joining India.
• R&AW then facilitated the abdication of the king and the installation of a pro-India government that formally signed the treaty of accession with India.

The nuclear tests in 1998

• R&AW played a vital role in ensuring the secrecy and success of India's nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, in May 1998.
• It monitored the activities and movements of foreign intelligence agencies, especially those of the United States and Pakistan, and prevented them from detecting or interfering with India's nuclear preparations.
• It provided accurate and timely intelligence on the international reactions and implications of India's nuclear tests, which helped India formulate its diplomatic strategy and posture.

Challenges for R&AW

• The rise of China as a global power and a strategic competitor to India in Asia and beyond.
• The instability and violence in Afghanistan and its implications for India's security and interests.
• The growing nexus between Pakistan-based terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and global jihadist outfits like al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS).
• The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems by rogue states like North Korea and Iran.
• The emergence of new domains of warfare like cyberspace and outer space poses new threats and opportunities for intelligence.
• The increasing sophistication and counter-intelligence capabilities of adversaries make intelligence collection more difficult and risky.
• The lack of adequate resources, manpower, training, technology, coordination, oversight, accountability, and transparency hamper R&AW's performance and credibility.

R&AW needs to adapt to the changing global scenario and overcome its challenges by adopting various reforms and innovations.

Way forward for R&AW

• Strengthening R&AW's organizational structure, leadership, culture, recruitment, training, motivation, retention, welfare, diversity, ethics, and morale.
• Enhancing R&AW's technological capabilities, especially in cyber security, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, biometrics, satellite imagery, drones, etc.
• Improving R&AW's coordination and cooperation with other intelligence agencies, both domestic and foreign, as well as with other stakeholders like the armed forces, the police, the media, the academia, the private sector, and civil society.
• Increasing R&AW's accountability and transparency by establishing a statutory framework, a parliamentary oversight committee, an independent ombudsman, and a declassification policy.
• Expanding R&AW's scope and vision by focusing on emerging areas of interest like climate change, energy security, human rights, democracy promotion, etc.
• Developing R&AW's human capital by nurturing talent, creativity, innovation, professionalism, and

Conclusion

• R&AW is one of the most respected and feared intelligence agencies in the world, with a reputation for professionalism, efficiency and daring. It contributed significantly to India's national security and foreign policy interests over the years, by providing valuable information, analysis and action. It continues to face new challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing global scenario, where new threats and actors emerge every day. It is constantly adapting and evolving to meet these challenges and to serve India's interests in the best possible way.

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