US-India Homeland Security Dialogue tomorrow

Mutual assistance in probe like Mumbai terror attacks, counter-terrorism and trans-national crime will be high on the agenda during the Homeland Security dialogue between India and the US on Friday.

Mutual assistance in probe like Mumbai terror attacks, counter-terrorism and trans-national crime will be high on the agenda during the Homeland Security dialogue between India and the US on Friday.

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Home minister P Chidambaram, who will lead the Indian delegation, will also have intensive discussions on countering illicit financing, accessing and sharing of data relating to terrorism, transfer of counter-terrorism with his US counterpart Janet Napolitano.

Coastal security, cyber security, mega city policing, countering illicit financing and trans-national crime, cyber security, providing homeland security equipment to each other and capacity building will also figure during the day-long meeting.

This will be the first meeting of the US-India Homeland Security dialogue

Security situation in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, in the wake of the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, is likely to be discussed by the two leaders.

Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley's testimony, in which he admitted ISI's involvement in the 26/11 attack, and trial of his accomplice Tahawwur Rana are also expected to be discussed in the meeting.

Napolitano, who arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday, is the first dignitary from the US to visit India after President Barack Obama who toured the country in November last year.

Chidambaram had visited the US in January 2009 when he had extensive discussions with Napolitano.

Napolitano on Thursday met foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and is expected to meet other senior officials and leaders.