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| India-Pakistan |
| RAW in-charge in Beijing recalled after honeytrap probe |
| 2008-06-22 |
| NEW DELHI: The Indian mission in Beijing is busy shooting itself in the foot at a time when India-China relations are on a downswing. Fresh controversy enveloped the mission with RAW station chief Uma Mishra being recalled this week, apparently for a poorly handled investigation into a 'honeytrap' case. Mishra is expected to return to India soon and this will be the second time a RAW official has returned from Beijing under a cloud. Earlier, another RAW staffer, Manmohan Sharma, was recalled for his alleged affair with a Chinese interpreter. In connection with the Sharma case, an assistant to deputy chief of mission Saurabh Kumar has already been sent back. The assistant, Gangadharan, was called back to Delhi on 'special duty' and then given a recall letter and now it is believed that Kumar himself may be posted out as well after barely a year as deputy chief of mission. Kumar's replacement is believed to be another MEA official from Vietnam. Just what's happening in Beijing? Amid the sheer inefficiency, lack of checks and poor professionalism, there's a strong possibility of an ego spat between MEA and RAW. The trouble apparently began after the Manmohan Sharma incident. While RAW, responsible for external intelligence, cried foul and said its official was above board and the problem had really to do with a quarrel between Sharma's maid and interpreter, MEA differed and claimed that a probe had found evidence that Sharma had been 'penetrated' by the Chinese. Sharma's apartment was apparently bugged. The Gangadharan recall thereafter is being seen as a tit-for-tat affair between MEA and RAW. On being called back to Delhi, he was not even allowed to go back to Beijing to bring back his family, said sources. Mishra's recall is rather more serious as she's a counseller level officer. It is said that her return is a result of not conducting the investigation of the Manmohan Sharma incident properly with sources saying that MEA was unhappy at her alleged refusal to pass on details of the Sharma affair to the ministry. The turn of events reflects poorly on both organisations. Certainly, when relations with China need closer attention, India should be better served by both agencies. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #7 And yes, I installed CIA 4.0 from puncher tape |
| Posted by: HalfEmpty 2008-06-22 14:48 |
| #6 Speek to the litebulb to get the maid. |
| Posted by: HalfEmpty 2008-06-22 14:47 |
| #5 Sound roughly comparable to the CIA and DOS. Nerdy Rantburgers will find that statement both hilarious and true. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-06-22 11:11 |
| #4 Sharma's apartment was apparently bugged. And that is why you never talk about sensitive things outside a clean, controlled area. Especially in China, Russia, etc... |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-06-22 08:35 |
| #3 Sound roughly comparable to the CIA and DOS. And equally competent. I'll bet they work well together when it's time to torpedo the MOD. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-06-22 07:27 |
| #2 MEA - Ministry of External Affairs (foreign ministry) RAW - Research and Analysis Wing (Indian external intelligence agency) |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-06-22 07:17 |
| #1 Fast question re: alphabet soup What do the acronyms RAW and MEA stand for? Thanks |
| Posted by: mom 2008-06-22 00:52 |