RAW: A History of Indias Covert Operations

The Research and Analysis Wing, Indias shadowy external intelligence agency, is one of the countrys least understood institutionsat least in part by design. Perhaps fittingly for a spy agency, there is very little information about R&AW in the public domain. What is this organisation, its structure, its role and vision? Why was it set up? Who are the people that run it?Set up in 1968, as a reaction to Indias massive intelligence failure during the war with China, R&AW played a crucial role in the formation of Bangladesh. It has since carried out highly successful covert operations in Fiji, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and has countered and foiled Pakistani spy agency ISIs machinations in the subcontinent. R&AW has operations in other parts of the globe too; it played an important role during the IranIraq war, for instance.No country can increase its global reach without intelligence support. That India has made enormous strides in its stature and influence is testimony to R&AWs success. Yet, public accounts of its work exist only in highly romanticised fictional stories. Investigative journalist Yatish Yadav follows the lives of real agents and maps their actions in real situations. His conversations with Indian spies provide insight into how covert operations actually work. RAW: A History of Indias Covert Operations is the first comprehensive account of Indian spy networks and their intelligence gathering, and their role in securing and advancing Indian interests.