Role of India’s intelligence agency comes under global scrutiny

Modi’s close associate Ajit Doval, a former intelligence director, has taken prominent role in shaping India’s intelligence approach and assertive posture

OTTAWA, Canada, NEW DELHI, India – Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claim that there are credible allegations that India was involved in the murder of a Sikh activist, the role of India’s foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has come under scrutiny.

The agency had previously limited its activities to South Asia.

Now it appears that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has expanded its operations and may be using more aggressive tactics.

Sikh leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed June 18 in a coordinated attack in the province of British Columbia.

Modi’s close associate Ajit Doval, a former intelligence director, has taken a prominent role in shaping India’s intelligence approach and has advocated a more assertive posture.

The allegations challenge the traditional modus operandi of RAW, which favors influence operations over assassinations.

However, experts believe RAW may have been encouraged to take on riskier assignments internationally under Modi’s government.

In the broader geopolitical context, India is becoming a strategic partner for the United States and its allies NATO, particularly in containing China.

This may lead Modi to believe that India can afford to act more boldly abroad.

Trudeau’s allegations have heightened diplomatic tensions between Canada and India and led to the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats identified as senior intelligence officials from their respective embassies.

The validity of his claims has yet to be verified.