RECONCILIATION

India-US Homeland Security Dialogue 

    India is likely to hold a Ministerial Homeland Security Dialogue with the US later this year. India and the US reviewed the ongoing cooperation on terrorism, cyber security and several other issues at a Homeland Security Dialogue, which was attended by top officials of both the countries. The officials also identified further steps that could be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing security cooperation.

    The Homeland Security Dialogue was an initiative of Barack Obama's administration. The first Homeland Security Dialogue was held in May 2011 between Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and India's Home Minister P Chidambaram. The second security dialogue was held in Washington DC in 2013 between Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar and Home Secretary Ms Napolitano. The latest virtual meeting took place after March 2021, after United States President Joe Biden's administration announced the re-establishment of the Homeland Security Dialogue that had been called off by the administration of former US President Donald Trump. Earlier, US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Meyerkas spoke to India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and the US official expressed his desire to further enhance the partnership between the two countries.

    The meeting discussed how to secure critical infrastructure and global supply chains, maritime security, aviation security, customs enforcement and trade security, among other issues. The two sides agreed that existing sub-groups under the Homeland Security Dialogue on law enforcement engagement, securing global supply chains, aviation security, investigative cooperation, and capacity building and training will meet separately in the coming months to discuss To discuss and find out how the ongoing cooperation can be strengthened. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction at the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and cooperation in all areas of mutual concern.

    Amid rising claims by China in the Indo-Pacific region and Pegasus-like Snoop Gate and rising coronavirus, it is important for the two countries to come together and tackle the current and upcoming challenges. Both sides look forward to holding ministerial homeland security talks later this year.