Indian Spying Couple in Germany

German Chancellor Angella Merkel once said that spying among friends is not acceptable. It’s unfortunate that after United State espionage adventure, German soil targeted by Research Analysis Wing of India (RAW). In March 2019, a spying couple caught, namely Manmohan and his wife Kanwal Jail, in Germany for spying on Sikh and Kashmiri community. Though spying on adverse communities considered as usual practice in espionage world but having such exercise on the very own community signaled devastated fabrics of a society. Indian brutalities in Kashmir and discrimination against Sikh community within India are the fundamental reason to keep an eye on both the communities even in free world. To understand statecrafts, states do not compromise over such security risks. No state shall compromise such activities within its territory against any community. Indian secret move has created skeptical notion among several players. The move is also an eye opener for world community about Indian aggressive ambitions in the region as well as at global level.

The couple was recruited in 2015. The project aimed at monitoring and intimidating Indian citizens living abroad. The adventure remained costly for Indian secret service as they hired the couple for 2000 euros a month. The objective was to gain information from Sikh and Kashmiri community at Indian Consulate in Frankfurt for RAW officials. After the arrest, it seemed that the couple has attended various meetings of Sikh temples in Cologne and Frankfurt. They also believed to be involved in planning and executing 2016 explosion at Sikh temple in Essen, Germany.  To carry out such act of terror, it is essential to understand why RAW is evolving unlikely of intelligence agencies across the world.

 

The incumbent government of India under Prime Minister Modi has remarkably reshaped the organizational structure of secret service. The agency reports directly to Prime Minister instead of Defense Ministry. The head of RAW has direct access to higher authorities. It demonstrates the political sanctioning of constitutionally subordinate institution in world’s largest democracy by the civilian regime. A mere joint adventure represents aggressive approach towards its citizen by any democratic govt. is worth shame within the hierarchy of international system. 

 

As Modi has established strong footprints with the help of emerging Hindu nationalist, his power centric approach demonstrated a major shift. The marginalization of Sikhs along with nightmares in Kashmir has become manifestation for believers of Hindutva, a Nazi inspired ideology. To ensure BJP’s mantra of Hindu supremacy, Modi has decided to learn from failures. The Kargil review provided the beginning of modifications within the framework of RAW. A new organization, National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) has been set up. It is a US National Security Agency version of India who seems to spy on nation’s technical intelligence spy, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and spy planes. Furthermore, Modi has decided to create a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Its main objective is to conduct trans-border operations. 

 

The Research and Analysis Wing is expanding worldwide to create strife within the comity of nations. Its alignment with several major intelligence agencies like CIA, Mossad, and NDS in all fields of intelligence operation is alarming. The situation from Afghanistan, Middle East is devastating. If extended, RAW’s motion is going to add fuel to fire. The world is at greater risk with futile joint adventures of intelligence agencies. The security consciousness of states would not compromise any misadventure when enemy is next door. Indo-Pak historical enmity has continued tension since independence. According to a report published by BBC, a coordinated network of 265 websites in 65 states is aiming at influencing the decision making process against Pakistan, particularly in Europe. Both the states have complex relationship among international actors born out of their adverse approach. As South Asia has nuclear deterrence which ensures a stability-instability paradoxes, any kind of miscalculations or confirmed reports will endangered world’s peace. 

 

The interference of subordinate constitutional organ within the framework of international system of a free world is a matter of serious consideration. Despite the fact that a lethal combination of social intolerance and ultra-nationalist regime in India, the world community is in competition prioritizing their individualistic interests. There must be reformatory process in international power politics so that a peaceful environment would prevail based on mutual respect and dignity of the mankind.