The **ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)** of Pakistan and the **CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)** of India are intelligence and investigative agencies that operate in countries with a long history of political and military tensions. Although they have different mandates, both agencies are key players in the regional dynamics of South Asia. Here's a look at how their roles interact and overlap in terms of rivalry and intelligence operations:

### **ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)**:
- **Role**: Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, responsible for gathering and analyzing intelligence related to national security, both domestic and international. The ISI is known for its strong military ties and involvement in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and covert operations.
- **Focus**: The ISI primarily focuses on national security, regional influence (especially concerning India and Afghanistan), and counterterrorism efforts. It has also been involved in supporting militant groups like the Taliban and various insurgent organizations, especially those operating in India and Afghanistan, according to various intelligence reports.

### **CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)**:
- **Role**: India’s premier investigative agency, the CBI deals primarily with internal crime, corruption, and high-profile criminal cases. Although it has a focus on domestic criminal investigations, the CBI is also involved in counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, often in coordination with other Indian intelligence services like RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and IB (Intelligence Bureau).
- **Focus**: The CBI handles complex investigations, often involving cross-border crimes, terrorism, and cases with political implications. While its primary jurisdiction is within India, it plays a critical role in investigating threats that may have international or cross-border elements, including cases that intersect with ISI activities.

### **Tensions and Rivalry Between ISI and CBI**:
The rivalry between the ISI and Indian agencies like the CBI (as well as RAW and IB) is part of the broader geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan. While ISI and CBI don’t directly engage with each other as operational adversaries (given their different mandates), their interests and operations overlap in several critical areas, particularly relating to terrorism, cross-border insurgencies, and intelligence-gathering.

#### 1. **Cross-Border Terrorism**:
- **ISI’s Alleged Role**: The ISI has been accused by Indian intelligence and international agencies of providing support to militant groups operating in Jammu & Kashmir and other regions of India. These groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), have been responsible for major attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The CBI, in investigating such incidents, often traces involvement or indirect links to the ISI’s backing of these groups.
- **CBI’s Counterterrorism Investigations**: The CBI often plays a role in investigating terrorism cases in India, particularly after large-scale attacks. These investigations sometimes involve tracking networks and individuals that have ties to ISI-supported groups. However, RAW (India’s external intelligence agency) typically takes the lead on international operations, including tracking the ISI's activities abroad.

#### 2. **Counterintelligence Operations**:
- **Spy Networks**: Both the ISI and Indian intelligence agencies have historically operated spy networks in each other’s countries. ISI often tries to gather intelligence on India’s military, nuclear programs, and political leadership. In turn, Indian agencies (such as RAW) work to uncover these operations, and the CBI may get involved in cases involving espionage, particularly if they relate to domestic security.
- **CBI's Role in Anti-Espionage Operations**: The CBI investigates cases of espionage within India, including those involving Pakistani agents. It has been...