It would be good for those serving RAW to pay attention to the principles that Rameshwar Nath Kao had faithfully practiced
January 20, 2022 marked the 20th anniversary of the passing away of Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founding chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and one of the most accomplished and influential intelligence chiefs ever.
From 2007 to 2019, RAW held the annual Cao Memorial Lecture at its headquarters in the last week of January, but the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic meant that the event has since been put on hold. This tribute is a modest attempt to convey the collective excitement and pride that members of India’s intelligence community experience when the lecture is held.
Kao has been showered with rich – and rightly so – encomiums for his unparalleled contribution to Indian intelligence. Rather than repeat what has already been said, I propose to highlight some of the qualities that made him such a formidable and successful intelligence chief. that he was a Kashmiri Pandit like many close advisers to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, that she had known him from the time he began arranging for his father Jawaharlal Nehru’s security as a young assistant director in the Intelligence Bureau And he had enjoyed it. His complete faith was, of course, the central factor in the rise of Cao’s meteorite. But what were some of the other elements of the Kao formula for success as head of RAW (1968–77)?
there was a line
The first was the subtle distinction he maintained between external and internal intelligence. In recent decades, following the rise of international terrorism as a major intelligence concern around the world, it has become somewhat fashionable to say that the dividing line between external and internal threats had become blurred and that the two were treated as separate incidents. As it was not possible to believe. There may be some merit in this argument because threats without danger only become relevant because their effect lies within. But the distinction is fundamental and no one was more aware of this fact than Cao. It was, perhaps, understandable and inevitable raison d’etre The formation of RAW as the organization responsible for the collection of intelligence related to developments abroad.
Under Cao’s supervision, RAW made it abundantly clear to dominate domestic intelligence collections. Whenever there was a need for interrogation on some matter within the country, Cao always turned to the Intelligence Bureau for assistance. The benefits were two-fold: RAW concentrated its energy without any distraction on the collection of intelligence about India’s external adversaries and the Intelligence Bureau could not complain of neglect in the discharge of its main responsibility, In other words Intelligence collection on developments within the country.
emergency and after
The second factor – a consequence of the first – was Cao’s clever policy of shielding RAW from the vicissitudes of domestic politics. Despite his unwavering access to the highest levels of political leadership, Cao avoided the temptation to engage in internal political affairs. The foresight of Cao’s approach was never more clear than it was during the Emergency. The Janata Party government, which came to power after the 1977 elections, suspected the role played by Cao and Rau during the Emergency and attempted to shrink the organization in size, but no investigation or investigation uncovered any evidence. Could put RAW’s remote involvement in any excesses committed during the emergency. The result was that after some temporary setbacks, the organization regained its confidence and went back to playing its assigned role in maintaining national security.
The third was Cao’s unusual ability to see the big picture, as well, paying off what can only be described as an extreme attention to detail. Be it the liberation war of Bangladesh or the sect in Sikkim in the 1970s or the historic opening to the United States in the early 1980s, during his second visit (1981–84) as Senior Adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat, Kao The big picture kept its vision firmly grounded, effectively translating the broader vision of political leadership into concrete reality on the ground. Equally, RAW’s sober and balanced assessment shaped policy making, helping to ensure that it was based on reality and not based on idealistic priorities or wishful thinking.
Fourth, was his ability to elevate his officers to greater heights without being overbearing or micromanaging the tasks left to the grassroots workers. As head of RAW, Cao was assisted by a fine band of lieutenants, many of whom, like him, were elected to the Intelligence Bureau before being drawn into an external intelligence set-up. Without them, Cao would not have been as successful as he was and he knew it. He gave them his full faith and support and they, in turn, produced results that made RAW a formidable machine that it had to become so early in its existence.
Fifth was his inclination, which bordered on disgust, to engage in any form of self-projection. This attitude was best illustrated by his response to unreported criticism directed against RAW, and against him personally, for failing to prevent the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1975. The criticism pained him, especially since he had personally warned the Bangladeshi leader more than once that his life was in danger. It is in this context that he propounded the adage that those engaged in the profession of intelligence should never expect to be rewarded for their successes, but should always be ready to be punished for their failures.
old World
These materials contained a sublime Old World chivalry, refinement, and innate humanity, which shone through in their dealings with everyone, from the most powerful of the nation to the lowest. Such, in fact, was the generosity of spirit that characterized Cao’s dealings with his subordinates; at times, it made him blind to the failures of some of them.
In the years to come, India’s external intelligence agency will have to deal with complex challenges; From correctly anticipating the moves of an assertive China, to countering the ever-changing threats from the forces of radicalism and terrorism that are fueled by developments in our immediate neighbourhood, to protecting the digital infrastructure that underpins our security and prosperity. likely to decrease rapidly. To be able to rise to the occasion, those serving RAW would do well to adhere to the first principles that the founding fathers of the organization laid down and practiced with such enthusiasm.
Ramanathan Kumar retired as Special Secretary in RAW. views expressed are personal
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