Locating India's Intelligence Agencies in a Democratic Framework

by Danish Sheikh

India's internal and external intelligence agencies-the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing, respectively-carry out numerous operations ranging from counter-terrorism and tackling separatist movements to critical infrastructure all without any statutory charter in place empowering them to do so. In addition, we have the National Technical Research Organization, modeled on the USA's National Security Agency, set up as an intelligence-gathering agency in 2004. With the rising threat to national security comes the need for the strongest, most efficient intelligence framework possible-provided it remains grounded in a sphere of legality. Taking lapses of security, efficiency, and privacy as points of concern, this monograph begins by making a case for crafting an oversight framework for India's intelligence agencies. Examining statutory frameworks in other jurisdictions in detail, it goes on to analyse best practices and insights from legislations across the world to make recommendations for the kind of structure most suitable for India.

74 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2011