The secret architect of India's foreign intelligence was a master of disguise

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before 1968, India lacked a dedicated agency for foreign intelligence. Following two major wars, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tasked a discreet officer with building a clandestine apparatus from the ground up. This agency, R&AW, would go on to shape the borders of South Asia through covert operations.

Following intelligence lapses in the 1965 India-Pakistan War and 1962 Sino-Indian War, India created the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) on 21 September 1968. These conflicts exposed significant gaps in India's ability to monitor Chinese military activity and Pakistan's military buildup. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister, chose Rameshwar Nath Kao, an experienced Intelligence Bureau (IB) official, to develop a foreign intelligence body inspired by the U.S. The Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency.

Kao, often called the 'architect of Bangladesh,' was known for his mastery of disguise, reportedly posing as a betel-nut seller to warn a Bangladeshi president of a coup. Under his leadership, the agency recruited a diverse team of 'Kaoboys' from the IB, military, and civil services. While the IB was streamlined to focus on domestic security, R&AW was tasked with gathering foreign intelligence and conducting covert operations. Its activities have spanned Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, though much remains classified.

R&AW's historical impact is marked by several pivotal operations. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the agency reportedly provided intelligence and training to the Mukti Bahini guerrilla force and shared key battlefield plans with the Indian military. It also played a role in the 1975 integration of Sikkim into India by facilitating protests against the monarchy. In the 1980s, the agency was reportedly involved in providing arms and training to Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups and conducting reconnaissance on Pakistan's nuclear program.

Administratively, R&AW functions as a wing of the Cabinet Secretariat rather than a standalone agency with a written charter. It operates with autonomy from bureaucratic control, reporting to the Prime Minister through the Cabinet Secretary and the National Security Advisor. Its mandate covers surveillance of foreign politico-military developments, counterproliferation of military assets to regional adversaries, and counterterrorism efforts to protect India's sovereignty.

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