Current Affairs 20th September 2023 for UPSC Prelims Exam
Five Eyes Alliance
Context: Canada’s accusation of India with respect to its role in the assassination of a Khalistani leader has received support from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
About the Five Eyes (FVEY) Alliance
- Origin: Established after World War II as part of the multilateral UKUSA Agreement.
- The UKUSA Agreement is an agreement of cooperation signed between the United Kingdom and the United States in 1946.
- Why was it formed?
- After World War II, the allies laid out goals for a peaceful post world war era.
- In 1941, the allies issued the Atlantic charter which outlined the aims of the United Kingdom and United States for the post World war World.
- The key provisions include:
- No territorial changes shall be made against the wishes of the people.
- Restoration of self-government to those who were deprived of it.
- Freedom of the seas.
- Freedom from fear.
- Disarmament of aggressor nations.
- The alliance has so far mainly targeted China, Russia and North Korea.
- Objective: To enhance cooperation in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and share intelligence information among the member countries.
- Signals intelligence (SIGINT) involves intercepting and deciphering electronic communications, such as phone calls, emails, and other forms of electronic data.
- Members: Comprises intelligence agencies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Surveillance Programmes operated by Five Eyes Alliance: PRISM, Tempora, XKeyscore, STATEROOM, ECHELON, and MUSCULAR.
- Intelligence-sharing agreements have now expanded beyond the Five Eyes:
- 9 Eyes: The Five Eyes, with the addition of Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Norway;
- 14 Eyes: The 9 Eyes, with the addition of Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Sweden;
- 41 Eyes: All of the above, with the addition of the allied coalition in Afghanistan.
Related Information
World’s Premier Intelligence Agencies
| Intelligence Agency | Country |
| Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW or RAW) | India |
| Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) | United States |
| MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6) | United Kingdom |
| Federal Security Services | Russia |
| MOSSAD | Israel |
| Federal Intelligence Service or Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND | Germany |
| Ministry of State Security (MSS) | China |
| Inter-Services Intelligence (ISS) | Pakistan |
About the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW or RAW)
- Established in 1968 following the intelligence failures of the Sino-Indian War.
- Objective: To handle external intelligence.
- Prior to RAW, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was solely responsible for gathering both internal and external intelligence.
- After 1968, IB’s role was confined to internal intelligence.
- Headquarter: New Delhi
- Under the direct control of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
- The first chief of R&AW was Rameshwar Nath Kao, regarded as the father of Indian intelligence.
- Headed by a Secretary (Research), who is an IPS officer of the rank of Director General of Police.
- The Secretary (Research) reports directly to the Prime Minister of India and is accountable to a parliamentary committee on intelligence matters.