The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is India's intelligence agency, created in 1968 to deal with external threats. The agency was formed after two wars with China and Pakistan, in which the Intelligence Bureau (IB) failed to provide adequate intelligence. R&AW was created to gather intelligence from outside India's borders and was headed by R.N. Kao, who reported directly to the Prime Minister.
R&AW's early successes included the recruitment of a double agent, Hashim Qureshi, who provided valuable information on Pakistan's nuclear program. The agency also played a key role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, providing intelligence on Pakistan's military plans.
However, R&AW faced challenges and criticism, particularly during the Emergency period in India (1975-1977). The agency was accused of spying on opposition leaders and was subject to parliamentary inquiries.
In the 1980s, R&AW was revamped and strengthened under the leadership of R.N. Kao, who was appointed as the Security Advisor to the Prime Minister. The agency played a crucial role in the Siachen Glacier conflict with Pakistan and was involved in several other operations, including the Kargil War.
Despite its successes, R&AW faced criticism for its handling of the Kargil War, with many inputs and warnings being ignored or not acted upon in a timely manner. This led to the formation of the National Security Council (NSC) in 1999, which aimed to improve coordination and information-sharing between different agencies.
Today, R&AW is a key component of India's national security apparatus, working closely with other agencies, such as the IB and the National Security Council, to gather intelligence and protect India's interests.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was created in 1968.
2. R&AW was formed after the Intelligence Bureau (IB) failed to gather intelligence during the Indo-China war in 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965.
3. The Thuggee and Dacoity Department, created by the British in 1808, laid the foundation for R&AW.
4. The Central Special Branch (CSB) was created in 1887 to deal with freedom fighters, and it was later renamed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 1904.
5. After India gained independence, the IB was transferred to India, but the Military Intelligence (MI) was transferred to Pakistan.
6. The IB was initially responsible for gathering intelligence within India's borders, but in 1951, it was given the responsibility of gathering intelligence outside India's borders as well.
7. R&AW was created with a budget of $20 million and its office was set up in South Delhi.
8. R&AW's first operation was to plant an agent in Pakistan, who was codenamed "Kashmir Bedi".
9. Kashmir Bedi was trained for several months and was sent to Pakistan, where he gathered intelligence and sent it back to India through a secure telephone line.
10. R&AW's first major success was in 1971, when it gathered intelligence on Pakistan's nuclear program and helped India to prepare for a potential war.
11. R&AW played a crucial role in India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
12. In 1974, R&AW helped India to conduct a nuclear test, and in 1975, it helped India to gather intelligence on Pakistan's nuclear program.
13. In 1980, Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister again, and R&AW was strengthened with new technologies and training.
14. In 1984, R&AW played a crucial role in India's operation to capture the Siachen Glacier.
15. In the 1990s, R&AW's focus shifted to Kashmir, and it helped India to gather intelligence on Pakistan's activities in the region.
16. R&AW's failure to gather intelligence on Pakistan's plans for the Kargil war in 1999 led to a major setback for India.
17. The Kargil Review Committee was formed in 1999 to review India's intelligence failures during the war.
18. The National Security Council (NSC) was formed in 1999 to improve coordination between India's intelligence agencies.
19. The NSC operates on a three-tier model, with the Strategic Policy Group, National Security Advisory Board, and Joint Intelligence Committee.
20. The NSC is responsible for gathering data and inputs from different channels and advising the Prime Minister on national security issues.