Research and Analysis Wing

In Context

• Recently, India’s  Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) completed 53 years in service to the nation.

About

• Established in 1968, to handle the nation’s international intelligence affairs, RAW came into force after the China-India War in 1962.
• At present, the intelligence arm operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.
• RAW provides intelligence support to various significant operations on foreign soil.
• RAW works in cooperation with the Intelligence Bureau or other Indian intelligence agencies.

Genesis

• After the 1962 China-India war and Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization – the Research and Analysis Wing.
• In 1968, R. N. Kao was appointed as the first director of RAW. Under his leadership, RAW provided intelligence support, which resulted in India’s successful operations including
  •  creation of Bangladesh in 1971, 
  • the defeat of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict of 1971, 
  • the accession of Sikkim in 1975,
  • and the increase of India’s support to Afghanistan.

Working mechanism of RAW  

• RAW collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations. 
• It also monitors terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
• It primarily focuses on India’s neighbours. The collected inputs by RAW also help Indian officials, which are further used in national security policy and revise the foreign policy.

Attached Bodies

• The Aerial Reconnaissance Centre (ARC) collects high-quality overhead imagery of activities and installations in neighbouring countries.
• Special Frontier Force:

The inspector general of a paramilitary force of India, the Special Frontier Force reports to the director-general of security for RAW. While the force has functions independent of RAW, it is often fielded to support covert and overt RAW missions.

Source: AIR