Parag Jain Appointed New R&AW Secretary: Key Insights

The Narendra Modi government on Saturday appointed Parag Jain. He is a 1989-batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre. Parag Jain will serve as the next Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a term of two years. He succeeds Ravi Sinha who completes his rather lackluster tenure on June 30.

Meet Parag Jain

Jain has played an operational role during Punjab terrorism days. He served in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur. In the past, he was SSP Chandigarh and DIG Ludhiana. He managed Pakistan-related operations in India’s external intelligence agency. His tenures included Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. An unassuming officer, Parag Jain has served in Canada and in Sri Lanka as Indian representative.

During the Canada posting, he addressed the Khalistan ecosystem there. He repeatedly warned Delhi that it was morphing into something dangerous.

Even as Parag Jain takes over from Ravi Sinha on Monday, India’s external intelligence needs a revamp. It has been found wanting during the Maldives and Bangladesh crises in the past two years. 

The failure to anticipate the dastardly strike at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, was noted with concern. This occurred despite the Pakistan Army chief spewing hatred against Hindus. He also called Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan.

The R&AW’s role becomes very important. This is because Asim Munir has become a Field Marshal. Cross border terrorism against India is high on his agenda. 

Also read: PM Modi Restructures National Security Advisory Board Post-Pahalgam Attack

India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan will use terrorism to strike back at India. For that reason, India’s external Intelligence needs to improve ground intelligence. It should not purely rely on technical intelligence.

For all latest updates Follow theviralmail on X, Facebook, and Instagram