RAW is the intelligence agency of?

The correct answer is India.
R&AW (often written as RAW) stands for the Research and Analysis Wing. It is India’s primary foreign intelligence agency. Unlike domestic agencies that handle local law enforcement, R&AW is specifically tasked with gathering intelligence from foreign sources to protect India’s national interests and influence global perception in favor of the country.

Founding and History:

R&AW was established on September 21, 1968, following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Before R&AW existed, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) handled both domestic and foreign intelligence. However, after these conflicts, the Indian government realized it needed a specialized agency dedicated solely to external intelligence gathering. Its first director was the legendary R. N. Kao, who is often credited with building the agency's formidable reputation.

Core Missions and Responsibilities:

R&AW reports directly to the Prime Minister of India through the National Security Adviser. Its key objectives include:

• Foreign Intelligence: Monitoring the political, military, and economic developments in neighboring countries and world powers that impact India’s security.


• Counter-Terrorism: Identifying and neutralizing threats from international militant groups.


• Counter-Proliferation: Monitoring the nuclear and ballistic programs of regional rivals.


• Covert Operations: Conducting secret missions to support India's foreign policy goals.


• Cyber Intelligence: Protecting India from foreign state-sponsored cyber-attacks and gathering digital intelligence.

Notable Sub-Organizations:

R&AW oversees several specialized wings to carry out its complex tasks:

• Aviation Research Centre (ARC): Responsible for aerial reconnaissance and imaging using a specialized fleet of aircraft.


• Special Frontier Force (SFF): A paramilitary unit that works closely with R&AW for specialized mountain warfare and covert operations.


• Radio User Research (RUR): Focuses on signals intelligence (SIGINT) and monitoring communications.

Global Recognition:

Since its inception, R&AW has been credited with playing a major role in several historic events, most notably the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 and the monitoring of nuclear tests in the region. Today, it remains one of the most influential intelligence agencies in Asia.