India’s RAW Intelligence Agency Faces Global Scrutiny Following Assassination Allegations

India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s external intelligence service, has come under global scrutiny following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal have also accused RAW of political meddling and involvement with outlawed groups that have carried out acts of violence. RAW has denied the allegations and demanded evidence from Canada, which expelled RAW’s station chief. While RAW has advanced signal and technical intelligence capabilities in its immediate neighborhood, it relies on human intelligence for operations in the West. In recent years, RAW has expanded its reach in Western nations, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The agency has been emboldened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has strengthened India’s defense capabilities and built a strongman image. The fallout from the Vancouver incident may lead to increased global monitoring of RAW, as well as a closer understanding of India’s security concerns. However, the incident could also make it harder for Western countries to trust RAW in the short term. India and Canada have been in a diplomatic standoff since Trudeau’s allegations, with India suspending the issuance of new visas to Canadian citizens. RAW has long been seen as a rival by Pakistani security leaders, who have blamed the agency for a recent suicide blast near a mosque, although RAW denies any involvement. RAW’s presence in the West has gradually increased due to the role of U.S. citizen David Headley, who was convicted of scouting locations for the Mumbai attacks. RAW has a small Western presence, primarily due to the large Indian diaspora in countries like the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia. However, Indian agents are mainly used for political influence campaigns rather than security operations due to the risk of surveillance in their host nations. The Indian government has publicly blamed Islamabad for the Mumbai attacks, but Pakistan has denied any involvement. RAW operates from a discreet office complex in Delhi and has close links with Israel’s Mossad and the CIA. Under Modi’s leadership, India’s national security community has become more proactive in diplomacy, deal-making, and direct action. However, as Indian intelligence services have gained more capabilities and reach, the legal framework they operate in has not kept pace with modern democratic standards. RAW was created under a government order, without formal parliamentary or constitutional backing, and is exempt from legislative oversight. This lack of oversight raises concerns about accountability and transparency within the agency.