New Delhi | September 22, 2026
India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), marked its 58th anniversary this week, bringing renewed attention to its founder and first chief, Rameshwar Nath Kao.
Established in 1968, R&AW was created as a dedicated external intelligence organisation after the security challenges exposed by the 1962 India-China war and the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict. Kao was tasked with building the agency and developing the specialised capabilities required for overseas intelligence gathering.
How R&AW Was Built
Before creating R&AW, Kao worked in the Intelligence Bureau and headed the Aviation Research Centre. He was also involved in establishing the Special Frontier Force.
When R&AW was formed, Kao focused on building expertise in intelligence collection relating particularly to Pakistan and China, while developing a distinct institutional culture separate from the police-oriented structure of the Intelligence Bureau.
The agency’s early years were quickly tested by the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
The 1971 Intelligence Campaign
One of R&AW’s early successes came during the events leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
In November 1971, intelligence from a source inside the Pakistani establishment reportedly warned India about a planned Pakistani pre-emptive air strike. The information was passed on to Indian authorities, allowing the Indian Air Force to prepare before Pakistan launched its attacks on December 3.
Thirteen days later, Pakistani forces surrendered in Dhaka. The episode became an important example of the role intelligence can play in reducing the risk of strategic surprise.
Former intelligence officials have also described R&AW’s efforts to gather communications and information from Pakistani military and political circles during the conflict.
Kao’s Low-Profile Legacy
Kao remained known for maintaining a low public profile. He headed R&AW until 1977 and later returned to government service as a senior adviser.
His approach helped establish R&AW as a specialised organisation focused on external intelligence, while much of its operational work remained outside public view.
The R N Kao Memorial Lecture, established in 2007, continues to commemorate his contribution. The 2026 lecture was delivered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the theme of narcotics as a borderless security threat.
R&AW’s Continuing Role
The anniversary also highlights how India’s intelligence requirements have evolved since 1968.
Modern intelligence increasingly involves traditional human intelligence alongside technology, communications, cyber capabilities and analysis of emerging security threats.
Kao’s institutional legacy therefore extends beyond the creation of an agency. It was also about building specialised skills and a professional intelligence structure capable of supporting national-security decision-making.
