R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing)’s overseas operations)

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Context:

• India’s external intelligence agency R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) was in the spotlight this week, as reports came in from the S., Canada, Australia and Pakistan of the alleged targeting and killing of Indian-origin Khalistani separatist operatives around the world, spearheaded by the agency.

Charges against R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing)

• S.-based Washington Post claimed that American officials believe that the R&AW’s previous chief had approved an assassination operation, that was foiled last year, against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani activist lawyer of U.S. and Canadian nationality on India’s most-wanted UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) terror list.
• It also revealed the name of a security official, Vikram Yadav, believed to have been at R&AW at the time, and said U.S. officials had discussed whether to indict him for ordering Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman for the job.
• In the indictment filed by the U.S. New York Southern District Attorney’s office last November, message transcripts indicated Mr. Gupta had also enquired about ordering a “hit” on a Khalistani activist in Canada, just days before the killing of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside Toronto in June 2023.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested and charged three Indian nationals, for conspiring in the Nijjar killing, and said they are investigating links to Indian government officials.
• The Canadian Prime Minister’s statement indicating a link to Indian agencies, as well as his decision to expel India’s intelligence station chief at its High Commission in Ottawa, had sparked a major clash with New Delhi, leading to a number of diplomatic measures and expulsions of Canadian diplomats as well.
• Australia’s public broadcaster ABC also reported that R&AW operatives had been expelled in 2020 after Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) concluded that they ran a “nest of spies” that carried out espionage activities and surveillance of Khalistani separatists in the country.
• Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has consistently accused R&AW agents of orchestrating a number of extra-judicial killings on its soil.

India’s reaction

• India has consistently held that extra-judicial killings are not “government policy”, and called the Washington Post article “unwarranted and unsubstantiated”.
• There's a discrepancy in India's responses to different countries' allegations, with silence on Australia, denials and punitive measures against Canada, and an inquiry into the U.S. 's indictment.
• Indian officials question why countries like the S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia don't take action against Khalistani activists accused of inciting violence.
• India's operations against Khalistani sympathizers have a history, including a 2019 case in Germany where an Indian couple was charged with spying on Khalistani activists.

Diplomatic Fallout

• Ties with Canada have been strained, with a history of tensions over the Khalistan issue, and recent expulsions and diplomatic measures.
• However, India's ties with other countries remain strong, except for Pakistan due to cross-border terrorism issues.

International Response and Expectations

• The U.S., U.K., and Australia are urging India to thoroughly investigate the allegations, accept any wrongdoing, resolve not to repeat such operations, and ensure legal accountability.
• The trial processes in the U.S.'s Pannun case and the Canadian Nijjar case will be crucial in determining India's involvement.

Conclusion:

• India is not the only country accused of extra-judicial actions, with other countries citing self-defense under the UN charter. Informal rules in intelligence operations include avoiding operations in friendly countries, avoiding links to diplomatic missions, and avoiding detection.

About RAW:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/raw

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/new-tardigrade-species-named-after-chandrayaan-3-mission/article68131345.ece