RAW Full Form
RAW Full Form is the Research and Analysis Wing.
What is RAW? | RAW Full Form
The Research and Analysis Wing, commonly known as RAW Full Form, is India’s national intelligence agency responsible for gathering foreign intelligence. RAW collects and analyzes information from various sources, including media, diplomatic channels, and official connections. It also conducts covert operations to protect India’s security and interests worldwide.
Established in September 1968, RAW’s first Director was Rameshwar Nath Kao. The agency operates under the Ministry of External Affairs and is tasked with foreign espionage, which includes the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence.
Why Does RAW Exist? | RAW Full Form
The Chief of RAW assists the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and other ministries in making informed decisions in areas of interest such as:
- Foreign Policy: Analyzing and guiding India’s foreign policy based on internal and international political climates.
- Political Climate: Assessing and projecting the political environment in foreign countries.
- Foreign Languages: Acting as the principal resource for foreign language proficiency within the country.
- Intelligence Collaboration: Working with foreign intelligence services on dangerous missions, countering organized crime, armed conflicts, terrorism, and espionage.
Who Are RAW’s Targets?
RAW targets include terrorists, spies, fugitives, overseas entities, government officials, and foreign firms. Beyond hacking, RAW collaborates with Western security agencies such as GCHQ for bugging governments and corporations and planning anti-terrorist operations. The agency recruits personnel from top universities and colleges, needing around 2000 to 3000 staff members. By November 2012, it employed nearly 5,000 people, making it India’s premier intelligence agency.
How Do the People of India View RAW?
RAW is currently the primary intelligence agency within the Indian government. In the past, it has faced criticism for human rights abuses, including disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and torture. Despite this, RAW plays a crucial role in India’s foreign policy, notably aiding Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan against the Communist regime in Kabul through “Operation Cyclone,” in collaboration with the CIA.
RAW’s Financial Support and Funding
Since its formation, RAW has had seven Directors. It is now headed by Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Indian Foreign Minister. RAW has been instrumental in preventing significant terrorist attacks, such as the 1971 Black September crisis, by providing reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence reporting, and analysis of the Pakistani Army’s strength. During the 1971 War, RAW supported India’s military movements and operations in Pakistan.
Conclusion | RAW Full Form
In conclusion RAW Full Form, RAW is a critical intelligence agency in India, managing various intelligence activities to protect and advance national security. Its mission includes accelerating the development of India’s defense and strategic intelligence capabilities, monitoring regional events, and supporting strategic decision-making. Reporting directly to the Prime Minister, RAW is essential for ensuring national security and intelligence flow. Established in 1968, RAW is the oldest of India’s secret agencies, its name inspired by the brown recluse spider.