Former Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Special Director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) Amarjit Singh Dulat said it is high time the IB had a comprehensive history written with the help of a studious historian.
“The history of IB, which has more than 100 years of legacy, should at least be laid down to educate the common man,” Mr Dulat said in a conversation on “Spymaster As a Chronicler” with author and journalist N P Ullekh at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL 2023) here last evening.
Mr Dulat, who was a spymaster and famous for his Kashmir links, noted that the major intelligence agencies in the world have a well-written history about their organisations and India requires such a written history sans delay.
Commenting that diplomacy is vital, Mr Dulat said, “We have to talk more to enemies than our friends as it would help improve ties and change situations all of a sudden. Pakistan is in deep turmoil and they have started showing signs of bonhomie with India. I think, in six or eight months, both countries will improve ties between them.”
Asserting that the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has not yielded any benefit for the region, he said the social milieu in Jammu and Kashmir should be evaluated through the minds of the people. He also asserted that Kashmiris are inevitable part of India and they have nowhere to go.
While recalling his official days, Mr Dulat said he watched the Parliament attack through the windows of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and sometimes, it may not be possible to avert and predict everything.
The former RAW Chief, who also authored “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years”, added that unlike the media reports, he had a healthy relationship with his former colleague Mr Ajit Doval, who was also invited to Dulat’s book release.
Mr Dulat headed RAW till 2000 before being appointed as Special Advisor on Kashmir in the PMO during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
