Operational Priorities Is Shaping Spymasters in R&AW
As the present R&AW Chief, Ravi Sinha, nears the end of his tenure, the silence in South Block over an extension or successor is complicating discussions not only in the power corridors of the Intelligence community but also in other establishments.
Top sources in the Intelligence establishment have indicated that operational prioritization is a key factor influencing the R&AW chief's extension and that of his successor as well. "Government requires high-grade operationalization environment with a robust response to incoming threats". A top source said.
The operational prioritization that the government requires may not align well with the current chief of R&AW. A top source said that the agency is being pushed to follow more closely in its predecessor's footsteps, i.e., developing strong covert offensive and subversive skills. In contrast, the current chief, Ravi Sinha, is more tech-focused and emphasizes the development of covert collective capabilities, such as intelligence-gathering operations. It seems like a similar situation that during Rajender Khanna's tenure who focused more on collective and tech capabilities. He is also completed his tenure with no extension.
Like Israel's Mossad Chief, David Barnea, under whose leadership the Israeli intelligence agency underwent a biometric revolution marked by technological advancements within the agency. A similar revolution, according to sources, has also occurred in R&AW during Sinha's two-year tenure. However, political leadership has not been limited to one aspect of operational capabilities and wants all-out operational development and results from the agency. If operational operational priority prevails, then Punjab cadre IPS officer Parag Jain, who is currently number two in the agency, may be appointed as India's next spymaster. Top sources said that for Sinha his high caliber Intelligence thinking and collective operational capabilities may be may seen in National Security Council Secretariat in coming years.
