By TCN News,
New Delhi: India and the United States today signed the India-US Counter Terrorism Initiative to further enhance the cooperation between the two countries in counterterrorism as an important element of their bilateral strategic partnership.
Union Home Secretary, G.K. Pillai signed for India whereas US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer signed on behalf of the US government. The text of the pact was initialed on the sidelines of the visit of India Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to the US in November 2009.
According to the Union Home Ministry, the initiative “provides for strengthening capabilities to effectively combat terrorism; promotion of exchanges regarding modernization of techniques; sharing of best practices on issues of mutual interest; development of investigative skills; promotion of cooperation between forensic science laboratories; establishment of procedures to provide mutual investigative assistance; enhancing capabilities to act against money laundering, counterfeit currency and financing of terrorism; exchanging best practices on mass transit and rail security; increasing exchanges between Coast Guards and Navy on maritime security; exchanging experience and expertise on port and border security; enhancing liaison and training between specialist Counter Terrorism Units including National Security Guard with their US counter parts.”