Bahukutumbi Raman ( a brief Intro)

Bahukutumbi Raman (1936–2013), also known as B. Raman, a former Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India and a key figure in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency. Below is a detailed overview of B. Raman, tailored to your interest in his association with RAW and the geopolitical context of your previous queries about India-Pakistan relations. Who Was B. Raman? • Full Name: Bahukutumbi Raman • Born: August 14, 1936, Tamil Nadu, India • Died: June 16, 2013, Chennai, India • Background: Raman was an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1961 Madhya Pradesh cadre. He studied at Loyola College, Chennai, and worked as a journalist for The Indian Express before clearing the civil services exam. His early career in journalism and the IPS shaped his analytical skills, which later proved invaluable in intelligence work. • Role in RAW: Raman joined RAW in 1968, shortly after its formation, under the mentorship of RAW’s founding chief, Rameshwar Nath Kao. He served for 26 years, retiring in 1994 as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. He headed the counter-terrorism division, playing a critical role in shaping India’s intelligence operations. Key Contributions to RAW • Founding Member: Raman was among the first officers recruited by R.N. Kao when RAW was established in 1968, following intelligence failures in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. His insights on Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China were considered invaluable to the intelligence community. • Counter-Terrorism: As head of the counter-terrorism division (1988–1994), Raman oversaw operations targeting terrorist groups, including those backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was instrumental in RAW’s efforts against Khalistani militancy in the 1980s, managing covert units like Counterintelligence Team-J (CIT-J), which disrupted Khalistani networks. • Covert Operations: • Bangladesh Liberation War (1971): Raman contributed to RAW’s covert operations that supported the Mukti Bahini, leading to Bangladesh’s creation, a significant blow to Pakistan. • Operation Smiling Buddha (1974): He helped maintain secrecy around India’s first nuclear test, evading U.S. and Pakistani intelligence. • Kahuta Infiltration: Raman was involved in RAW’s efforts to gather intelligence on Pakistan’s nuclear program at Kahuta, a critical strategic operation during the 1980s. • International Backchannels: Stationed in Paris under the cover of a journalist for The Hindu, Raman established a backchannel with Ayatollah Khomeini’s circle during Iran’s 1978 Islamic Revolution, leveraging his connection with an Iranian student whose life he had saved. This demonstrated his diplomatic and intelligence acumen. • Siachen and Sri Lanka: Raman’s intelligence work supported India’s Operation Meghdoot (1984), securing the Siachen Glacier, and RAW’s operations during the Sri Lankan Civil War, showcasing his strategic foresight. Post-Retirement Contributions • Security Analyst: After retiring, Raman became a prolific commentator on security, counter-terrorism, and South Asian geopolitics. He directed the Institute for Topical Studies in Chennai and contributed to the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG). • Books: His memoir, The Kaoboys of R&AW: Down Memory Lane (2007), provides a rare insider’s view of RAW’s operations, including its role in the 1971 war, Khalistani counter-operations, and challenges with Pakistan and China. Other works include Intelligence: Past, Present and Future and Mumbai 26/11. • Critique of RAW: Raman criticized RAW’s “asymmetric growth,” noting its strength in covert action but weaknesses in intelligence analysis, human intelligence, and crisis prevention. He advocated for structural reforms to enhance RAW’s effectiveness. • Public Engagement: Active on Twitter until his death, Raman shared insights on security and his battle with cancer, maintaining a transparent public presence. He was critical of Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism and U.S. policies favoring Pakistan over India.