Reality of India's RAW

 

Introduction

A member of the RSS can become the Home Minister, but he can't get a job in R&AW. They had to sign a declaration stating that they or any member of their family isn't associated with the RSS or Communist parties.

R&AW and Democracy

Democracy has been murdered. They wanted Indira Gandhi's resignation. As soon as Zia-ul-Haq heard it, he was surprised at how they knew so much of the internal details. The Indian Army directly got to know at the field of Kargil that another two new battalions were against them. He gave his plane to the Cabinet Minister who had come on a trip with his girlfriend. Such photos were released, astonishing everyone. By looking at the photo, it was evident that it was taken at one of the airbases in Pakistan.

When all these things increased and started getting out of hand, Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency. It's said that Knowledge is Power, and this proverb fits intelligence agencies the most. They save multiple lives just on the basis of knowledge and input. For their own country, they go to the enemy's country and place their lives at stake without taking any credit. This isn't a small thing.

The Role of R&AW

We've seen multiple movies about R&AW, but how does it operate? How are they prepared for operations? How much political interference is there, and what are the consequences their officers face due to that? How much is the risk? You'll get to know everything in this video.

Note: I've added only those things in this video that were told by former R&AW officers after retirement. I have not made this video on the basis of just one R&AW officer, book, or article. I've read multiple books, research papers, and articles. The information common in multiple former officers has only been added to this video. The links will be given in the description.

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Creation of R&AW

India's intelligence agency, R&AW, was created in 1968. But before that, some important decisions linked with its development occurred. During the British era, in the forests of Jabalpur, there were dacoits who attacked and looted, then disappeared into the forest. To deal with this, the British created the Thuggee and Dacoity Department, which further laid the foundation for R&AW.

This department collected input and intelligence in the area, sent it to higher authorities, and blended some officers with the dacoits. Within a short time, this department eliminated all the dacoits from the area.

Evolution of Intelligence Agencies

• The British understood the importance of intelligence and created the Central Special Branch (CSB) to deal with freedom fighters organizing anti-British government activities.
• In 1904, it was renamed the Central Crime Intelligence Department (CCID) and then the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 1906.
• Post-independence, IB and Military Intelligence (MI) were transferred to India and Pakistan, respectively.

Challenges and Changes

• After the British left, IB dealt with a shortage of trained staff.
• In 1951, on Himmat Singh Committee's recommendation, IB was tasked with responsibilities inside and outside India's border.
• Due to consecutive failures, including the 1962 China war and the 1965 Pakistan attack, IB was restricted to India's border, leading to the creation of R&AW.

Establishment of R&AW

• In 1966, PM Indira Gandhi called upon R.N. Kao to create a new intelligence agency.
• On 21st September 1968, R&AW was formed with a budget of $20 million.
• The head of this new agency would directly report to the PM. The name Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was suggested by Cabinet Secretary D.S. Joshi.

Operational Setup

• R&AW spies were planted outside India to collect information.
• Monitoring stations were installed on India's borders to trace communications via Signal Intelligence (SIGINT).
• Any R&AW spy involved in operations outside India couldn't have their name revealed in any document.

Initial Operations

• The first agent, Kashmir Bedi, whose real name is still undisclosed, was sent to Pakistan.
• Bedi sent information through radio signals to Amritsar, which was then relayed to Delhi.
• A significant discovery was made about US arms supply to Pakistan, leading to increased Indian focus on East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Conclusion

R&AW has played a crucial role in India's national security, often operating in secrecy and facing political challenges. The agency's creation and evolution underscore the importance of intelligence in safeguarding a nation's interests.