THE USE AND ABUSE OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICES IN INDIA

In: Intelligence and national security, Band 8, Heft 1, S. 1-22

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE SURVEYS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES AND DISCUSSES THEIR OPERATION WITHIN A BROADENED CONCEPTUALIZATION OF SECURITY WHICH EVALUATES THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES' PERFORMANCE, NOT ONLY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THEIR ROLE IN PROMOTING INDIA'S LEGITIMATE NATIONAL INTERESTS, BUT ALSO WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF HOW THEY ARE INCREASINGLY UTILIZED BY THE POLITICAL AUTHORITIES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR VESTED INTERESTS. FURTHER, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THROUGH ITS OPERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ARE SEEKING TO SET POLICY RATHER THAN INFORM IT. THIS REPRESENTS A FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO INDIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS ITSELF.