Common Concerns

Subhashis Mittra

India and the United States (US) recently reviewed the progress of their ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains—the key pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership, at a homeland security dialogue in New Delhi. The two sides discussed steps that can be taken to bolster bilateral efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ensure transportation security.

Home secretary Ajay Bhalla with acting deputy secretary, US department of homeland security Kristie Canegallo

They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries, 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 two sides were led by Ajay Bhalla, home secretary, Union ministry of home affairs, Government of India, and Kristie Canegallo, acting deputy secretary, US department of homeland security, respectively. 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 set up under the framework of the Homeland Security Dialogue.

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 which will further deepen bilateral secu