India warns states on dealing directly with countries of concern

In a communication to states, the MHA said that any such communication must be routed through due to national security concerns.

It said States police should “not facilitate or entertain” any such requests from organisations or agencies from countries of concern without prior consultation with the MHA, it said.”It has come to the notice of the ministry of home affairs that some foreign organisations/agencies from countries of concern are extending invitations for mutual cooperation, training, joint exercise, exchange of views etc, directly to state/ union territory police without routing such requests through the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the communication said.”State/Union Territory organisations may be directed not to facilitate or entertain any such requests from foreign organisations/ agencies from countries of concern without prior consultation with the ministry of home affairs,” the letters to Chief Secretaries said.

With the help of central intelligence agencies, the MHA has identified countries of concerns in various fields like training of officers related to forensics, explosions, investigation, procurement of weapons or security equipment.

On internal security cooperation, the MHA has put Pakistan, China and Afghanistan in the category of countries of concern. Any cooperation with these countries keeping the Centre out of picture, the MHA feel it may end up in compromising different aspects of internal security.

Countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are countries of concern when it comes to counter-terror programmes, fake currency, drugs and human trafficking.

The MHA also warns the states against engaging private foreign organisations, which deal with security equipment or organise security-related conferences or seminars. There is a need for proper verification, the MHA has said.(Deccan Herald)