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!
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HOST - 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.
Visit the International Spy Museum - www.spymuseum.org/