FBI director coming to strengthen ties

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, MARCH 29. The director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Louis Freeh, is coming here next week to consolidate the growing cooperation between the two countries in combating international terrorism.

Mr. Freeh will arrive here on April 4 on a three-day visit to formalise arrangements for the opening of an FBI office in the U.S. Embassy here.

He will have extensive interactions with the top officials of the Indian law enforcement agencies. He will exchange views with the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, and also meet Mr. Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and National Security Adviser.

Mr. Freeh's visit comes amidst growing convergence of the Indian and American interests in combating international terrorism originating from India's neighbourhood.

The U.S. believes the sources of international terrorism have shifted in the last few years from West Asia to south-west Asia. Meanwhile, India's battle against terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan has reached a new intensity.

The new convergence of Indo-U.S. interests was reflected in the setting up of a Joint Working Group against terrorism a few months ago. India and the U.S. are also seeking to expand their cooperation beyond terrorism to include trans- national crime. The two sides announced this week a decision to negotiate a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that will enhance bilateral cooperation in law enforcement.

India's own investigating agencies have had representation in the diplomatic mission in Washington for many years. But political considerations had held back India extending the reciprocal facility to the U.S. As Pakistan-sponsored terrorism against India intensified in recent months, the Government finally placed self-interest above the ideological inhibitions of the past.

The decision to let the FBI set up offices here reflects the trend of increasing cooperation among governments in the war against the forces of terrorism which have gone international in their own operations. The FBI has offices in nearly 40 countries. Besides the key Western countries, the FBI has representation in Russia, China (Hong Kong), Japan, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It also has an office in Pakistan, where it has been interacting with the law enforcement agencies to deal with terrorism and drug trafficking.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Digvijay Singh takes up cudgels for Sonia
Next     : Third Front proposal may not work: Left