'Aankhen' is one of the first and one of the finest Indian movies made on espionage as a theme; who ever has seen this movie, must have pondered about existence of such spy agency in India. The very year Aankhen was released (1968), 'Research and Analysis Wing' came into existence as a result of the bifurcation of Intelligence Bureau (IB) into IB( for counter intelligence) and R&AW (for external intelligence).
'The Kaoboys of R&AW' is a beautifully written memoirs cum history of this premier agency by former spy master B. Raman. He had worked in R&AW for about 26 years and played a key role in almost all the success and failure stories of Indian intelligence. He continued his contribution by writing consistently on India's security and defence till his death in 2013.
R. N. Kao was the founder and first chief of R&AW and he literally created this institution from scratch. The R&AW never looked back and played a key role in 1971 liberation of Bangladesh. It has had its successes and it has had its failures. While successes are supposed to be hidden in the files but the failures are destined to be magnified a million times. The dismantling of Mizo separatists groups and Naga (to a large extent) could not have been done without R&AW, similarly it played a key role in suppressing the Khalistan movement and Kashmir insurgency. He does not throw much light on inchoate Israel-India build up against Pakistan nuclear program. The failures of R&AW are also momentous - Operation Blue Star, assassination of Indira Gandhi, assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Bombay blast of 1993, IC 814 hijacking, 26/11 etc.
The mutual bickering and jealousies of IB, R&AW and MEA are legendary; some officers compromised their integrity by becoming slaves of their political masters while some were bought over by inter departmental rivalries and scramble for limelight. The current infrastructure has more than 7 or 8 intelligence agencies and co-ordination and pooling of resources are major challenges.
The mutual bickering and jealousies of IB, R&AW and MEA are legendary; some officers compromised their integrity by becoming slaves of their political masters while some were bought over by inter departmental rivalries and scramble for limelight. The current infrastructure has more than 7 or 8 intelligence agencies and co-ordination and pooling of resources are major challenges.
It is a must read book if you want to know about this secret institution and the challenges it faces from circumstances, politics, jealousies and lack of coherent strategy.
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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