Defence Intelligence Agency (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|None}}
{{Short description|Agency within the Ministry of Defence of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox government agency
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name    = Defence Intelligence Agency
| agency_name    = Defence Intelligence Agency
| type            = [[Intelligence agency|Agency]]
| type            = [[Intelligence agency]]
| motto          = Service Before Self
| motto          = Service Before Self
| logo            = Defence_Intelligence_Agency_(India)_Logo.png
| logo            = Defence_Intelligence_Agency_(India)_Logo.png
| logo_width      =  
| logo_width      =  
| logo_caption    =  
| logo_caption    =  
| seal            =  
| seal            = Flag of Integrated Defence Staff.svg
| seal_width      =  
| seal_width      = 150px
| seal_caption    =  
| seal_caption    = Parent Agency - Integrated Defence Staff
| formed          = {{Start date and age|2002|03|1|df=y}}
| formed          = {{Start date and age|2002|03|1|df=y}}
| preceding1      =  
| preceding1      =  
| jurisdiction    = {{flag|India}}
| jurisdiction    = {{flag|India}}
| headquarters    = [[Cabinet Secretariat of India|Cabinet Secretariat]]<br /> [[Raisina Hill]], [[New Delhi]]
| headquarters    = [[Cabinet Secretariat of India|Cabinet Secretariat]]<br /> [[Raisina Hill]], [[New Delhi]], [[Delhi]], [[India]]
| employees      = [[Classified information|Classified]]
| employees      = [[Classified information|Classified]]
| budget          = [[Classified information|Classified]]
| budget          = [[Classified information|Classified]]
| minister1_name  = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| minister1_name  = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| minister1_pfo  = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| minister1_pfo  = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| chief1_name    = [[Lieutenant general|Lt. Gen.]] [[GAV Reddy]]
| chief1_name    = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt. Gen]] Shrinjay Pratap Singh
| chief1_position = [[Director General]]
| chief1_position = [[Director General]]
| chief2_name    =  
| chief2_name    =  
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}}
}}


The '''Defence Intelligence Agency''' ('''DIA''') is an [[intelligence agency]] responsible for providing and coordinating defence and [[military intelligence]] to the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name="MOD">{{cite web|title=Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India|url=http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/body.htm|publisher=National Informatics Centre|access-date=2009-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713064303/http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/body.htm|archive-date=2009-07-13|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FAS">{{cite web|title=Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/india/dia.htm|publisher=Global Security.org|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref>
The '''Defence Intelligence Agency''' ('''DIA''') is an [[intelligence agency]] responsible for providing and coordinating defence and [[military intelligence]] to the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name="MOD">{{cite web|title=Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India|url=http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/body.htm|publisher=National Informatics Centre|access-date=2009-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713064303/http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/body.htm|archive-date=2009-07-13|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FAS">{{cite web|title=Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/india/dia.htm|publisher=Global Security.org|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> It was created in March 2002 and is administered within the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name="FAS" />
 
It was created in March 2002 and is administered within the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name="FAS"/>


==History==
==History==
The creation of an intelligence agency coordinating the intelligence arms of the three military services had long been called for by senior Indian military officers.<ref name="FAS"/> It was formally recommended by the [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of India|Cabinet Group of Ministers]], headed by the then [[Deputy Prime Minister of India]] [[Lal Krishna Advani]]. The Group of Ministers investigated intelligence lapses that occurred during the [[Kargil War]] and recommended a comprehensive reform of [[List of Indian Intelligence agencies|Indian intelligence agencies]].<ref name="FAS"/><ref name="A">{{cite web|title=Defense Intelligence Agency to Start in February 2002|url=https://fas.org/irp/world/india/mod/dia.htm|publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]]|date=2002-01-30|access-date=2009-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326002603/https://fas.org/irp/world/india/mod/dia.htm|archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> The Defence Intelligence Agency was created and became operational in March, 2002.<ref name="A"/> As part of expanding bilateral cooperation on gathering intelligence and fighting terrorism, the [[United States military]] also provided advice to Indian military officers on the creation of the DIA.<ref name="A"/>
The creation of an intelligence agency coordinating the intelligence arms of the three military services had long been called for by senior Indian military officers.<ref name="FAS"/> It was formally recommended by the [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of India|Cabinet Group of Ministers]], headed by the then [[Deputy Prime Minister of India]], [[Lal Krishna Advani]]. The Group of Ministers investigated intelligence lapses that occurred during the [[Kargil War]] and recommended a comprehensive reform of [[List of Indian Intelligence agencies|Indian intelligence agencies]].<ref name="FAS"/><ref name="A">{{cite web|title=Defense Intelligence Agency to Start in February 2002|url=https://fas.org/irp/world/india/mod/dia.htm|publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]]|date=2002-01-30|access-date=2009-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326002603/https://fas.org/irp/world/india/mod/dia.htm|archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> The Defence Intelligence Agency was created and became operational in March, 2002.<ref name="A"/> As part of expanding bilateral cooperation on gathering intelligence and fighting terrorism, the [[United States military]] also provided advice to Indian military officers on the creation of the DIA.<ref name="A"/>


==Organisation==
==Organisation==
===Director General===
===Director General===
The Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the entire organisation. The director general is the principal advisor on intelligence to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.<ref name="FAS"/> The post of the director general will be held in rotation between the three armed services. The first Director General of the DIA was Lt. Gen. [[Kamal Davar]], former director of the mechanised forces of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="FAS"/><ref name="A"/> The Director General of the Agency is assisted by the Deputy Director General, held first by Air Marshal [[S. C. Malhan]].<ref name="FAS"/>
The Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the entire organisation. The director general is the principal advisor on intelligence to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.<ref name="FAS"/> The post of the director general will be held in rotation between the three armed services. The first Director General of the DIA was Lt. Gen. [[Kamal Davar]], former director of the mechanised forces of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="FAS"/><ref name="A"/> The Director General of the Agency is assisted by the Deputy Director General, first held by Air Marshal [[S. C. Malhan]].<ref name="FAS"/>


===Nodal agency===
===Nodal agency===
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==Functions==
==Functions==
Before the creation of the Defence Intelligence Agency, the military intelligence capability of India's armed forces was limited to Field Intelligence Units (FIU) and separate intelligence arms of the services.<ref name="FAS"/> These distinct services were not able to effectively coordinate intelligence operations and sharing of information.<ref name="A"/> The armed forces also heavily relied on civilian intelligence agencies such as the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] and the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]].<ref name="FAS"/> With wide-ranging resources and functions, the DIA will be superior to and coordinate the [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]], [[Directorate of Air Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Air Intelligence]] and the [[Directorate of Naval Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Naval Intelligence.]]<ref name="A"/>
Before the creation of the Defence Intelligence Agency, the military intelligence capability of India's armed forces was limited to Field Intelligence Units (FIU) and separate intelligence arms of the services.<ref name="FAS"/> These distinct services were not able to effectively coordinate intelligence operations and sharing of information.<ref name="A"/> The armed forces also heavily relied on civilian intelligence agencies such as the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] and the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]].<ref name="FAS"/> With wide-ranging resources and functions, the DIA will be superior to and coordinated with the [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]], [[Directorate of Air Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Air Intelligence]] and the [[Directorate of Naval Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Naval Intelligence.]]<ref name="A"/>


==See also==
==See also==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Military of India}}
{{Indian intelligence agencies}}
{{Indian intelligence agencies}}
{{National intelligence agencies}}
{{National intelligence agencies}}
{{Military of India}}
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}



Latest revision as of 06:31, 4 September 2025


Defence Intelligence Agency
Parent Agency - Integrated Defence Staff
File:Defence Intelligence Agency (India) Logo.png
Intelligence agency overview
Formed1 March 2002; 24 years ago (2002-03-01)
Jurisdiction India
HeadquartersCabinet Secretariat
Raisina Hill, New Delhi, Delhi, India
MottoService Before Self
EmployeesClassified
Annual budgetClassified
Minister responsible
Intelligence agency executive
Parent departmentIntegrated Defence Staff

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is an intelligence agency responsible for providing and coordinating defence and military intelligence to the Indian Armed Forces.[1][2] It was created in March 2002 and is administered within the Ministry of Defence.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

The creation of an intelligence agency coordinating the intelligence arms of the three military services had long been called for by senior Indian military officers.[2] It was formally recommended by the Cabinet Group of Ministers, headed by the then Deputy Prime Minister of India, Lal Krishna Advani. The Group of Ministers investigated intelligence lapses that occurred during the Kargil War and recommended a comprehensive reform of Indian intelligence agencies.[2][3] The Defence Intelligence Agency was created and became operational in March, 2002.[3] As part of expanding bilateral cooperation on gathering intelligence and fighting terrorism, the United States military also provided advice to Indian military officers on the creation of the DIA.[3]

Organisation[edit | edit source]

Director General[edit | edit source]

The Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the entire organisation. The director general is the principal advisor on intelligence to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.[2] The post of the director general will be held in rotation between the three armed services. The first Director General of the DIA was Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar, former director of the mechanised forces of the Indian Army.[2][3] The Director General of the Agency is assisted by the Deputy Director General, first held by Air Marshal S. C. Malhan.[2]

Nodal agency[edit | edit source]

DIA is the nodal agency for all defence related intelligence, thus distinguishing it from the other Indian intelligence internal and external agencies. DIA controls the Indian Armed Forces' technical intelligence assets – the Directorate of Signals Intelligence, a tri-service agency, and the Defence Image Processing and Analysis Centre (DIPAC). While the Signals Directorate is responsible for acquiring and decrypting enemy communications, the DIPAC controls India's satellite-based image acquisition capabilities.[4]

The DIA also coordinates the Defence Information Warfare Agency (DIWA) which handles all elements of the information warfare repertoire, including psychological operations, cyber-war, electronic intercepts and the monitoring of sound waves.[5] Its operations are highly classified and has several successes to its credit which will remain a secret.[citation needed]

Functions[edit | edit source]

Before the creation of the Defence Intelligence Agency, the military intelligence capability of India's armed forces was limited to Field Intelligence Units (FIU) and separate intelligence arms of the services.[2] These distinct services were not able to effectively coordinate intelligence operations and sharing of information.[3] The armed forces also heavily relied on civilian intelligence agencies such as the Research and Analysis Wing and the Intelligence Bureau.[2] With wide-ranging resources and functions, the DIA will be superior to and coordinated with the Directorate of Military Intelligence, Directorate of Air Intelligence and the Directorate of Naval Intelligence.[3]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)". Global Security.org. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Defense Intelligence Agency to Start in February 2002". Federation of American Scientists. 30 January 2002. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  4. Sagar, Pradip R (9 November 2019). "Tech, a risk". The Week. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  5. Anand, Vinod (2008). "Integrating the Indian Military:Retrospect and Prospect | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". idsa.in. Retrieved 14 March 2020.

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