The Indian government on Monday named senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ravi Sinha as the new boss of RAW for a two-year term.
"The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ravi Sinha, IPS, special secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, as Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing vice Samant Goel on completion of his tenure on June 30, 2023, for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier," the government order said.
At present, Sinha holds the portfolio of special secretary, Cabinet Secretariat.
He would take charge of India's foreign intelligence gathering agency after current chief Samant Goel retires from his position on June 30.
All You Need to Know About Ravi Sinha
Sinha started his career in the IPS in 1988 after clearing the civil service examinations from Chhattisgarh state.
He is technically the second senior-most officer in RAW after current boss Goel.
Sinha is said to have a stronghold on sensitive security matters related to Jammu and Kashmir and has a deep understanding of insurgent groups operating in India's northeast region.
He is also well-versed with the Naxals or Maoists - the left-wing extremist group operating from central parts of India, including the states of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh.
Besides this, Sinha is credited with imbibing modern technology for collecting intelligence in the agency.
Challenges Awaiting Sinha
The senior IPS officer's appointment as the RAW chief comes at a time when India has been dealing with growing cases of extremism from Sikhs in its northern state of Punjab.
On the other hand, two distinct ethnic groups have continuously clashed with each other in the volatile northeastern state of Manipur, leaving dozens dead.
The Army and paramilitary forces have been patrolling the streets in Manipur but the violence has continued unabated for over a month now.
There have been incidents of arson even on police stations, and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians.
Keeping the violence and the torching of public and private property in mind, former Indian Army chief Ved Prakash Malik described the situation as "sad".
"Law and order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at highest level," he tweeted last week.