Why India needs to strengthen its counter-intelligence
Pakistan which is at the forefront of subversion, sabotage and terrorism against India radicalizes Indians on religious lines and victimization narratives.
In the wake of the November 10, 2025 suicide bombing at Red Fort, security agencies have identified a national security threat posed by online radicalization and tasking by adversaries of India. Investigations have revealed numerous instances of "honey traps" within the Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces handling VVIP security. Dr Adnan, the mastermind behind JeM operations against India, confessed how individuals are radicalized by religion, ideology, sexual promises, and material incentives.
The Ahmedabad module operated by Dr Adnan further exposed how Indians succumb to radicalization for various reasons, with financial gain being the most significant motivator. The recent arrest of foreigners attempting to enter sensitive areas without proper documentation points to hostile forces operating against the Modi government and the nation.
Pakistan, the primary instigator of subversion, sabotage, and terrorism against India, employs religion-based narratives to radicalize Indians, particularly Muslims. Other nations like China, Myanmar, and Nepal exploit India's unstable democracy and secular attitude to gather classified information against the country. Rawalpindi, a hub for third powers like China and the west, is often used to acquire sensitive data regarding India.
While the Modi government prioritizes national security, Indian intelligence must enhance its counter-intelligence and operational capabilities to detect and prosecute subversives within the civilian and military establishments. Indian intelligence has historically focused on Pakistan while overlooking China and the west, who often criticize India's domestic affairs.
The current administration under Home Minister Amit Shah has allocated increased budget and manpower to bolster the Intelligence Bureau's counter-intelligence capabilities.
Adversaries exploit India's chaotic democracy and secularism to undermine the rise of Bharat. Indian diplomats struggle to assert India's concerns in adversarial countries, who often employ pre-emptive accusations to discredit India. Indian diplomats are often plagued by "localitis" syndrome in the west, failing to strongly advocate for New Delhi's interests.
Given the current geopolitical climate, Indian intelligence should prioritize human intelligence over technical intelligence to counteract the adversarial nations' influence. India's rise in the global arena will undoubtedly encounter resistance from both allies and adversaries, necessitating a robust counter-intelligence strategy to maintain its sovereignty and security.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
