India, US sign accord to exchange terrorist screening information

In a move to further boost counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, India and the United States on Thursday signed an agreement to facilitate exchange of terrorist screening information.

"The arrangement was signed by union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and US Ambassador to India Richard Verma," an official communique said.

It said both sides shall provide each other with access to terrorism screening information through designated contact points, subject to domestic laws and regulations.

India and the US face serious threats from terror outfits like the Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and have been collaborating in the fight against global terror.

On May 20, US Ambassador Verma met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue.

The dialogue was drawn up as a "major mechanism" to enhance security cooperation and discuss building capacity in cyber security between the two countries, especially after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, home ministry sources said.

Both countries, through the US Homeland Security Department and India's Ministry of Home Affairs, have close cooperation and share intelligence on terrorists and terror outfits operating in the Indian sub-continent.

Both sides also exchange information related to critical infrastructure protection and matters on countering illicit finance, global supply chain security, mega-city policing, and science and technology, official sources said.

--IANS

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