Podcasts
SpyCast
Ep 603
SpyCast 9.19.23
Ep 603 | 9.19.23

“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

Show Notes
Transcript

Summary

Vappala Balachandran (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the ancient roots of espionage in India. Bala formerly served as Special Secretary for India’s Cabinet Secretariat.  

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

  • India’s Research and Analysis Wing
  • The Tamil Tigers’ threat to Indian national security
  • Intelligence considerations within India-Pakistan relations
  • Lessons in intelligence from Ancient India

Reflections

  • Intelligence, the 2nd oldest profession
  • Transitioning from leader to student

And much, much more …


Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined by Vappala Balachandran, former Special Secretary for the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) in India. Bala spent two decades serving as the #2 leader of Indian intelligence and has since authored four books on intelligence and espionage. His most recent book, “ Intelligence Over Centuries” explores the history of spycraft from pre-biblical times through the current conflict in Ukraine. In this episode, Bala and Andrew discuss his time in India’s Research & Analysis Wing and explore the often-overlooked early roots of intelligence in Indian history. 

This episode is part four of our five-part Spy Chiefs special series. If you haven’t yet, listen in to our episodes with former CIA Director David Petraeus, former Director of Kenyan Intelligence Wilson Boinett, and current Irish Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn. 

And… 

Bala’s home state Kerala is known not only for its beautiful landscape, high literacy rate, and matrilineal traditions, but also its notable linguistic and religious diversity. This is evidenced by Kerala being home to India’s oldest mosque (c. 629 AD), Catholic church (c. 52 AD), and synagogue (c. 1568). And yes, hundreds of years later, these places of worship are still active! 

Quotes of the Week

“There was a lot of pressure. There was a lot of pressure, especially, for example: Certain incidents happening – What would be the repercussions in India? Now, anything that happens in Pakistan, it will have some repercussions in India. And, same thing in Afghanistan, and then all the neighboring countries, we are to watch them.” – Vappala Balachandran.

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

*Beginner Resources*

DEEPER DIVE

Books

  • Intelligence Over Centuries, V. Balachandran (Indus Source Books, 2023)
  • The War that Made R&AW, A. Nandakumar (Westland, 2021)
  • Keeping India Safe: The Dilemma of Internal Security, V. Balachandran (HarperCollins, 2017)
  • India’s External Intelligence, V.K. Singh (ManasPub, 2007)

Articles

Video

Primary Sources 

*Wildcard Resource*

  • Interestingly, the two most recent episodes of SpyCast have featured intelligence chiefs from Ireland and India – Two countries that gained their independence from Great Britain around the same time in the 20th century.
  • Check out this article and this article to learn more about the connections within their struggles for independence. Two countries across the world from one another, but with very interesting ties … 
SpyCast
Podcast Info
HOST(S):
Andrew Hammond
Erin Dietrick
Andrew Hammond, Ph.D. is Historian & Curator at the International Spy Museum, home of the world's preeminent collection of intelligence-related artifacts. Previous chapters have included seven years in the RAF, Public Humanities at the 9/11 Museum in NYC, Fellowships here, there, and everywhere, and academia. He is author of the forthcoming book: "Struggles for Freedom": Afghanistan & US Foreign Policy Since 1979. He loves bialys.
Erin Dietrick is the Programs & Podcast Assistant at the International Spy Museum. Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, where she studied history. Currently gaining her MA in Museum Studies from the George Washington University, Erin is passionate about storytelling, inspiring critical thinking, and inciting joy through museum programming. She has a special place in her heart for music history and named her orange cat Ringo after Ringo Starr.
Schedule: Tuesdays, 7am EST (weekly)
Credits: SPY: Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughn III, Co-Producers; Emily Rens and Emily Coletta, Graphics; Afua Anokwa and Ariel Samuel, Social Media; Erin Dietrick, Researcher, Scheduler, Editor, Co-Producer, Social Media; Andrew Hammond, Writer, Editor-in-Chief, Executive Producer. CYBERWIRE: Elliott Peltzman, Sound Design; Elliott Peltzman and Tré Hester, mixing; Jen Eiben, Co-producer, Social Media; SpyCast opening music: Wayne Jones, “Cypher” (2018).
Creator: International Spy Museum
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