The Cabinet Appointments Committee (ACC) named veteran IPS officer Ravi Sinha as Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s foreign intelligence agency.
R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing)
- Foreign Intelligence: The primary role of R&AW is to collect foreign intelligence, with a focus on counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, and advancing India’s foreign strategic objectives.
- National Security: It is also responsible for preserving India’s nuclear programme and advising policymakers on national security issues.
- Social and political events: R&AW has been involved in key events such as the state of Sikkim’s admission to India in 1975.
History and Foundation
- Prior to R&AW, intelligence gathering was the responsibility of the British Raj’s Intelligence Bureau (IB).
- A Dedicated Agency is Required: Due to intelligence failures during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, a separate foreign intelligence agency was established.
- R&AW was formally established in 1968, with Rameshwar Nath Kao chosen as its first chief.
- R&AW’s organisational structure is modelled after the CIA, and it reports directly to the Prime Minister without parliamentary supervision.
- Additional Child Agencies: To boost its capabilities, R&AW has added agencies such as the Radio Research Centre, Electronics & Technology Services, Aviation Research Centre, and Special Frontier Force over the years.
Activities and Operations:
- Global Operations: R&AW conducts operations and intelligence efforts in a variety of nations, with an emphasis on political, military, economic, and scientific developments affecting India’s national security.
- R&AW has strong ties and collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies, including Russia’s SVR, Afghanistan’s NDS, Israel’s Mossad, Germany’s BND, the CIA, and MI6.
- R&AW has 10 field units known as Special Bureaus that are strategically situated along India’s borders.
- R&AW recruits employees from a variety of civil services, armed forces, and universities. Basic and advanced levels of training are provided, encompassing topics such as intelligence tactics, espionage, and self-defense.
Controversies and Obstacles
- Staff shortfall: R&AW is facing a serious employee shortfall, with a 40% deficit below the sanctioned strength.
- R&AW has been chastised for bureaucratic issues, favouritism in promotions, corruption claims, inter-departmental rivalry, and ethnic disparities at the officer level.
- Legal Status and Accountability: R&AW is not accountable to the Indian Parliament and is not subject to the Right to Information Act, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Importance and Importance
- National Security and Foreign Policy: R&AW is critical to India’s national security, shaping foreign policy, and fighting challenges to the country.
- Counter-Terrorism Operations: R&AW is actively involved in anti-terror operations, neutralising elements that pose a security danger to India.
- International Collaboration: R&AW works with intelligence agencies from around the world to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to address common concerns.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-is-ips-officer-ravi-sinha-all-you-need-to-know-about-new-raw-chief-11687176896332.html#:~:text=Ravi%20Sinha%20has%20been%20appointed%20as%20the%20new%20Research%20and,spy%20agency%20on%20June%2030.