NB Explains | All about RAW station chief Pavan Kumar Rai, who is expelled by Canadian Government

The 'top Indian diplomat' expelled by Canada amid allegations linking the Indian government to the assassination of a Khalistani activist has been identified as Pavan Kumar Rai, purportedly the Canadian station chief of India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

 

Rai's name was leaked to the Canadian media by the country's foreign ministry in a breach of protocol.

 

Rai was posted to Ottawa as minister (eco, coordination, community affairs) in the Indian high commission in 2018.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had officially announced Rai's appointment in the same year, stating, "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of External Affairs for appointment of Shri Pavan Kumar Rai, IPS (PB:1997) as Joint Secretary (Personnel), Ministry of External Affairs for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post."

 

According to the Indian Express, Rai is a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer belonging to the 1997 Punjab cadre and had previously played a key role in combating drug-related issues in the state of Punjab before opting for a central deputation in 2010. He had held positions such as the senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Jalandhar and Amritsar during the late 2000s. On January 31, he was promoted to the rank of additional director general of police (ADGP) by the Punjab Government, along with seven other IPS officers.

 

Rai was station chief of India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in Canada.

 

The Indian Express also reported that Rai, aged 53, had a close professional relationship with former R&AW chief Samant Kumar Goel, who also hails from the Punjab cadre of the Indian Police Service. Rai's expertise and experience eventually led to his empanelment for the position of joint secretary or equivalent at the central level in 2018.

.

.