India, US to strengthen homeland security

India and the US are looking at ways to improve their intelligence sharing mechanism and forging cooperation in new areas for strengthening homeland security, Indian ambassador to the United States, Nirupama Rao, said. Speaking at a panel discussion along with the US ambassador to India, Nancy Powell, Rao said that both the countries are increasing their cooperation in various other fields such as energy security, education and health.

Replying to a question on cooperation in the area of homeland security, she said, "We are looking at this moment on how we do better intelligence and information sharing and also other aspects such as science and technology cooperation on homeland security." Noting that the two countries have initiated ministerial-level dialogue over homeland security, Rao said, "This is one component (intelligence sharing) on which we will see heightened activities in 2013. Constantly new areas of cooperation are being developed on homeland security."

On whether India and US have lagged behind in making their presence felt in energy-rich central Asia, she said, "Looking at the larger canvas of central Asia, energy security is a matter of much importance. Our dialogue can be of great relevance in this area."

Accepting the importance of central Asia, Powell said private companies in America will have to take the initiative and recognize the region's potential as a good place to invest. "All of us recognize the rich potential in central Asia. It is our private companies which have to look at this region and decide that it is a good place to invest," the US ambassador said.