India and the US discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on issues of terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and money laundering among others during the Homeland Security Dialogue in New Delhi Wednesday.
The dialogue concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on law enforcement training between the US Federal Law Enforcement Training Centre and India’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.
“During the dialogue, both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains, which has been a key pillar of the India-US strategic partnership. In this context, they discussed steps that can be taken to bolster bilateral efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ensure transportation security,” an MHA statement said.
According to MHA, the two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the vibrant people-to-people ties “by taking steps to enable safe and legal migration, counter illegal migration, human trafficking, money laundering, cyber-crimes, and misuse of the cyber domain for illegal activities including terror-financing.”
“The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla while the US delegation was led by Kristie Canegallo, Acting Deputy Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security. The co-chairs reiterated their keen interest in consolidating the mutually beneficial collaboration between the respective law enforcement agencies through exchange of information, capacity building, technical assistance and regular meetings of sub-groups,” the MHA statement said.
Weeks before the general elections, IE 100, the list of the 100 most powerful Indians this year, maps the lay of the land — the BJP holding strong, the Opposition trying to hold it together.
