Overview

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is India’s premier intelligence agency. Like the CIA in the USA and MI-6 in the UK, it is responsible for external intelligence. However, unlike intelligence agencies in many democratic countries that are subjected to public and parliamentary scrutiny, the activities of RAW remain shrouded in mystery. Until now there have been few accounts of what it was like to actually be a member of the RAW, not least of all for 26 years. Raman, the author of this book, served in this organization for 26 years and reveals exactly what went on behind the shroud. The book traverses through India’s contemporary history- importantly the 71 war; insurgency in the Northeast, Punjab and Kashmir; the Emergency; the war in Afghanistan and the intelligence imperatives and dispensation under Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh, Chandra Shekhar and Narasimha Rao. Written with the purpose that a knowledge of the role played by R&AW in those events enables a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, it painstakingly avoids over-statements, exaggerations and spins. Known for his candor, the author provides rare insights into the functioning of R&AW, and reveals a complex account of the benefits and failings of this particular intelligence agency. In India, retired intelligence officers have written books on general aspects of intelligence and security. However, there has been a reluctance to write on the functioning of India’s intelligence agency - until now.

Full Product Details

9780979617430

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

B Raman joined the Indian Police Service in 1961. Served in Madhya Pradesh as a police officer from November, 1962 to July, 1967. Joined the External Intelligence Division of the Intelligence Bureau of the Govt of India in July, 1967. Moved over to the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) of the Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, when it was created in September, 1968, by bifurcating the Intelligence Bureau. The R&AW is the external intelligence agency of the Government of India. Served as the head of the Counter-Terrorism Division of the R&AW from 1988 to 1994. Retired as Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, on August 31, 1994.Was a member of the Special Task Force appointed by the Government of India in 2000 for Revamping the Intelligence Apparatus. Was a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) of the Government of India from July, 2000 to December, 2002. Was a member of the Working Group on Terrorism of the Council on Security Co-operation Asia Pacific (CSCAP) in 2002 and 2005. Testified on Terrorism before the US House Armed Services Committee in June, 2002, and a sub-committee of the House International Relations Committee in October, 2003.Honorary member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Indian Defence Review, a quarterly published from New Delhi. Author of four books-Intelligence: Past, Present & Future, A Terrorist State As A Frontline Ally, the Kaoboys of R&AW: Down Memory Lane and Terrorism: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow-all published by Lancer Publishers of New Delhi. Kaoboys of R&AW was the most reviewed book of 2007. Writes regularly. On the guest lecturer faculty of many training institutions of the police and the army. Presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. Also associated with the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG) of New Delhi (www.southasiaanalysis.org) and the Chennai Centre For China Studies.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available