New Delhi, Feb 29:
The India-US Senior Officials’ Homeland Security Dialogue (HSD) was held here on Wednesday where both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains, which has been a key pillar of the India-US strategic partnership.
Both sides also discussed steps that can be taken to bolster bilateral efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ensure transportation security.
The dialogue was represented byAjay Bhalla, Home Secretary, Government of India and Kristie Canegallo, Acting Deputy Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security, a Home Ministry statement said.
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 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 signing ofdocument– 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 security cooperation.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of the Senior Officials’ Homeland Security Dialogue in Washington D.C. at a mutually convenient date.
