India, United States discuss fight against terrorism

United States Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano began talks with Indian Home Minister P Chidamabaram in New Delhi Friday on ways to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism. The first India-US homeland security dialogue is expected to focus on accessing and sharing data relating to terrorism, transfer of security equipment and mutual assistance in investigations including into the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, a Foreign Ministry release said and relayed by PTI today. Coastal and cyber security, mega-city policing and countering illicit financing and transnational crime were the other issues expected to come up in the discussions. Napolitano, who is on a four-day trip to India, landed in Mumbai Wednesday where she paid homage to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack. Six US nationals were among the 166 people who were killed in a three-day siege by a group of 10 terrorists. The US official held discussions with Defence Minister AK Antony and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao in New Delhi Thursday. The India-US security dialogue coincides with the trial in Chicago of Pakistan-born businessman Tahawwur Rana for his involvement in the Mumbai attack. During the trial, prosecution witness David Headley has said that the Mumbai operation was planned and executed by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group and that it had links with Pakistan''s Inter Services Intelligence agency. Terror suspect Headley has pleaded guilty to scouting sites for the 2008 attack.