“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

Summary

Vappala Balachandran (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the ancient roots of espionage in India. Bala formerly served as Special Secretary for India’s Cabinet Secretariat. 

What You’ll LearnIntelligence

• India’s Research and Analysis Wing
• The Tamil Tigers’ threat to Indian national security
• Intelligence considerations within India-Pakistan relations
• Lessons in intelligence from Ancient India

Reflections

• Intelligence, the 2nd oldest profession
• Transitioning from leader to student

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“There was a lot of pressure. There was a lot of pressure, especially, for example: Certain incidents happening – What would be the repercussions in India? Now, anything that happens in Pakistan, it will have some repercussions in India. And, same thing in Afghanistan, and then all the neighboring countries, we are to watch them.” – Vappala Balachandran.

Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts*

• Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)
• Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)
• Indian Intelligence & Cyber, A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai (2023)
• Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy with Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood (2021)

*Beginner Resources*

• The Entire History of India in Under 10 Minutes, Made in History, YouTube (2022) [10 min. Video]
• RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations, Y. Yadav, New Indian Express (2020) [Short article]
• Timeline: India-Pakistan Relations, A. Hashim, Al Jazeera (2019) [Historical timeline]

DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources 

• Agreement on a ceasefire between Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (2022)
• Pradhan Inquiry Commission Report, 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks (2009)
• Lessons from the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks, US Senate Hearing (2009)
• Kautilya’s Arthashastra (1915 translation)
• Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkuṟaḷ (1886 translation) 
• The Police Act (1861)