NEW DELHI: The Indo-US homeland security dialogue held here on Wednesday saw both sides reviewing the ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains, particularly bolstering of bilateral efforts to combat violent extremism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ensure transportation security.
While the Indian side was led by home secretary Ajay Bhalla, the visiting US delegation was headed by Kristie Canaegallo, acting deputy secretary with the US department of homeland security.
Reaffirming their commitment to promoting vibrant people-to-people ties between India and the US, the two sides discussed steps to enable safe and legal migration; counter illegal immigration, human trafficking, money laundering and cyber crimes; and also prevent misuse of the cyber domain for illegal activities including terror financing.
During the discussion on measures to combat violent extremism, the issue of attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco last year is believed to have come up. NIA is probing the twin attacks, even as US agencies like FBI "aggressively investigate the incidents" at their end.
On Wednesday, Bhalla and Canaegallo reiterated their keen interest in consolidating the mutually beneficial collaboration between their 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 homeland security dialogue on Wednesday concluded with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation to facilitate exchange of law enforcement training between the US federal law enforcement centre and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here.
It was agreed that the next round of the senior officials’ homeland security dialogue would be held in Washington DC, at a mutually convenient date.