"Understanding India's External Intelligence Agency" (DFI thread) in two posts, #1 and #2.

Synopsis

The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is India's primary external intelligence agency. It was formed in September 1968, after it became apparent that the newly independent Republic of India lacked a credible external intelligence gathering agency after the Indo-China War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Its primary function is the collection of external intelligence, counter-terrorism, sabotage, counter-sabotage and covert external operations; in addition, it is responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations and individuals, in order to assess and advise Indian foreign policymakers. Until the creation of RAW, the Intelligence Bureau [IB] handled both internal and external intelligence.
It would be well if an Indian expert on Indian external intelligence came out of the woodwork to keep this thread on track.

And, yup, it seems I've taken on a foreign assignment (virtual kind).

Regards

Mike