About Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW):
- It was established in 1968 to handle India’s international intelligence affairs.
- At present, R&AW is under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Working mechanism: It collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.
- The agency is also charged with monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
- Formation:
- Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was responsible for India’s internal intelligence and also handled external intelligence.
- However, after the 1962 China-India war and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization–the R&AW.
- Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant operations on foreign soil.
