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Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): Espionage and Diplomacy

Navigating a Tightrope: The High-Stakes Game of Global Espionage and Diplomatic Strategy by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) | Balancing Covert Ops and Diplomacy

By Srijan Sharma
New Update
Research and Analysis Wing
A noctovision spying drone image | Photo courtesy: Special arrangement 

Formed in 1968 in the aftermath of the Sino-India war, India's external intelligence agency Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) first stunned the global spy ring in 1971 when the intelligence agency dodged the US-Pak axis and showcased its covert capabilities, which led to a massive victory in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh. Later, from making India's first nuclear test (Operation Smiling Buddha) an airtight secret and taking advantage of the US's diverted attention in Vietnam to infiltrating Pakistan's nuclear centre in Kahuta. R&AW, during the Indira era, stood the test of time and successfully steered India in achieving its security and strategic interest under the overhang of the US-Pak sword. 

The Research and Analysis Wing later on continued its covert offensives, especially during the upsurge of the Khalistani movement in the 1980s, as B. Raman, former Special Secretary R&AW, records in his book "The Kaoboys of R&AW" that R&AW was quite active in tracking and killing Khalistani leaders though no specifics were discussed. R&AW's engagement in dealing with the Sri Lankan civil war is one more case of the agency showcasing its carefully crafted covert response, both collective and offensive. As a decade passed, R&AW was advised by the political masters to exercise maximum restraint and go slow. The closure of some of the offensive covert units of the Research and Analysis Wing was the major setback for the agency after Morarji's slashing budget in 1976. 

Dimming the agency's clandestine offensive did not let the curtains down. The agency is said to continue bolstering its intelligence gathering capabilities and regularly briefed the political leadership. Unfortunately, R&AW