Making A Difference

Secrets Choked

Indo-US intelligence sharing is a misnomer. It's a one-way street.

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Secrets Choked
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India vs US
  • Recent US attempts to penetrate Indian intelligence has made New Delhi suspicious
  • The quality and quantum of inputs from the American side have not been satisfactory
  • Washington's intelligence operations in Pakistan-Afghanistan is focused on Al Qaeda and Taliban and not sensitive to Indian needs
  • The US does not wish to upset Pakistan. As a result intelligence inputs on cross- border terrorism is near-zero.
  • The non-cooperation is now mutual. India is also reluctant to share information.

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IC-814: FBI's role in the Kandahar hijack probe is disappointing

India had hoped to access details of terrorist networks operating in Pakistan from the Americans. But little has been forthcoming. Most of the intelligence shared so far has been in the shape of communication intercepts which, officials say, India taps through other sources in any case. "Once in a while the CIA shares intercepts collected from their stations in Peshawar and other places, but these can be accessed by our own technical assets," a senior source told Outlook.

New Delhi is also unhappy with Washington's lack of cooperation in Afghanistan, a key area of interest. However, to be fair to the US, RAW can also be blamed for ignoring Kabul. Right from the days of the IC-814 hijacking, when Indian intelligence had no assets in Afghanistan, India realised the need to build its network in the war-torn country. However, little was done and the RAW officials posted there were of suspect capabilities. That said, it is a fact that the US has a massive intelligence presence in Afghanistan, both in terms of technical and human intelligence. They also have several assets inside Pakistan, including in key regions such as Peshawar. But the US focus has been on the Al Qaeda and the Taliban rather than terrorism related to Kashmir. "Our contention has been that the networks of terrorists in Kashmir are the same as the Al Qaeda and Taliban. But the Americans seem to be conveniently ignoring this," a source said.

A key reason for US hesitation in sharing intelligence with India vis-a-vis cross-border terrorism has to do with its position on Pakistan. An intelligence source explains: "The US views Pakistan as a major Muslim ally in its coalition against terrorism and therefore tends to shield it. It has quietly accepted Pakistan's position on the rogue nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan and his vast network that illegally supplied atomic secrets to Iran and other countries. The Pakistan navy is playing a key role in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (or CMCP, the naval arm of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq) and was even appointed leader of the coalition, with a Pakistani Rear Admiral heading it."

Islamabad annually receives $5.3 billion worth of military aid from the US for participating in the war against terror. According to the source, with such a lot invested in the ties, the US would not like to upset its ally. Which is perhaps why it is reluctant to part with information that would cause discomfiture in Pakistan. When contacted, a US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi told Outlook, "We never comment on matters pertaining to intelligence, but this aspect of the bilateral relationship is quite satisfactory."

Interestingly, the present lack of cooperation between the two nations is in stark contrast to the immediate post-9/11 period, when there was both intelligence sharing as well as training programmes. Indian intelligence inputs on threats to the life of President George W. Bush was appreciated by the US. Over the years, director-level officers from RAW have been trained in the US. America, say sources, was keen to expand the ambit of training programmes, provided RAW adopted a broader canvas to recruit intelligence officials on merit and aptitude. However, India is not ready to change its traditional recruitment policy of selecting candidates through the Union Public Service Commission route.

So, will there be an opening up of the currently clogged intelligence-sharing channels? The Indian side is optimistic, given that Washington has been highlighting the Indo-US nuclear deal as its commitment to growing bilateral ties. Also, according to the "500-day (reform) plan" scripted by McConnell, building fruitful partnerships will be the key aim of the US intelligence community.

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