India to get state of the art surveillance gear as part of counter-terror cooperation with US

From ANI

Geneva, Nov.21 : India is to get state of the art surveillance gear as part of its counter-terror cooperation with US.

Both countries are expected to move forward on counter-terrorism initiatives, the scope of which will be enlarged.

India had requested for a particular type of surveillance equipment from the US through which it could detect the actual location from where messages or information was being transmitted.

Sources said that on this matter and more there is going to be a substantial increase in scope, and added that not much was discussed on 26/11 (the Mumbai terror attack incident).

They said that India has stated its point and was waiting to hear from Washington.

They said the US is aware about the Indian position that there is no "Good Taliban" or "Bad Taliban".

India, the sources also said, feels that democratic forces in Afghanistan should be strengthened to neutralize the influence and reach of the Taliban.

At the moment, they said, there is no request from the US for India to increase its presence in Afghanistan.

"India is not interested in any military role in the region. That is not our policy. But they (the US) haven't even asked us for help in training their police. But, there is recognition of India's role in the region. India, being a part of UN security forces, is not visualized for the moment. There is plan for huge defense procurement. The Prime Minister's first meeting is with (Defense) Secretary Gates. A joint statement is envisaged on the issue," the sources said.

What might come up for discussions on talks on counter terrorism are terrorism, finance, money laundering, capacity building, and expanded information sharing," they added.

The two sides are also expected to identify measures to strengthen institutional linkages leading to closer interaction and cooperation. By Smita Prakash

Mumbai News

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