Description

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Context

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended targeted sanctions against India's external spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) over alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatists.

R&AW

Aspect	Details
Established	1968
Purpose	To handle India’s foreign intelligence, ensure national security, and counter external threats.
Headquarters	New Delhi, India
Current Chief	Ravi Sinha (as of 2023)
Parent Agency	Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) (not the Ministry of Home Affairs like IB)
Motto	"Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah" (The Dharma protects those who protect it)
Why Was It Formed?	Before 1968, Intelligence Bureau (IB) handled both internal and external intelligence. However, after India faced intelligence failures in the 1962 war with China and the 1965 war with Pakistan, R&AW was created.
Working Mechanism	Collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through secret (covert) and open (overt) methods. Monitors terrorist activities and illegal weapon smuggling into India.
Responsibilities	Gathering information about foreign governments and organizations. Preventing terror threats. Ensuring the safety of India's nuclear programs. Conducting covert operations in foreign countries.
Notable Operations	1971: Helped in the creation of Bangladesh. 1975: Assisted in integrating Sikkim into India. Has played a major role in protecting India's national security interests.
Training	R&AW officers are trained in intelligence gathering, surveillance, foreign languages and modern technology.

What is the Intelligence Bureau (IB)?

The IB is India’s internal intelligence agency responsible for gathering information inside the country.

It was founded in 1887 as Serval Intelligence Branch and is reputed to be the oldest such organization in the world.

It also handles counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations.

Before 1968, IB was responsible for both internal and external intelligence but after the 1962 China war and 1965 Indo-Pak war R&AW was created to handle external intelligence separately.

IB comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs unlike R&AW which is under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Major Intelligence Agencies Around the World

Country	Intelligence Agency	Main Role	Founded
United States	Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)	Foreign intelligence, covert operations, national security	1947
United States	Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)	Domestic intelligence, law enforcement, counter-terrorism	1908
United Kingdom	Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)	Foreign intelligence and covert operations	1909
United Kingdom	Security Service (MI5)	Domestic intelligence, counter-terrorism, and counter-espionage	1909
Russia	Federal Security Service (FSB)	Domestic intelligence, counter-terrorism, surveillance	1995
Russia	Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)	Foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber warfare	1991
China	Ministry of State Security (MSS)	Foreign and domestic intelligence, counter-espionage	1983
Pakistan	Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)	Military intelligence, foreign intelligence, covert operations	1948
Israel	Mossad	Foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, and special operations	1949
Germany	Federal Intelligence Service (BND)	Foreign intelligence, national security, counter-terrorism	1956
France	Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE)	Foreign intelligence, espionage, counter-terrorism	1982
Australia	Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)	Foreign intelligence, espionage, counter-intelligence	1952
Canada	Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)	National security, foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism	1984
Japan	Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA)	Domestic intelligence, counter-terrorism, surveillance	1952
North Korea	Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB)	Foreign intelligence, covert operations, cyber warfare	2009

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Religious freedom in India

Sources:

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. The intelligence agencies of a country play a crucial role in strategic decision-making. Discuss with reference to the functioning of R&AW and IB in India. (250 words)