States told not to deal directly with Pak, Iran, China agencies

It could compromise internal security, says Centre

The Union ministry of home affairs has highlighted a list of “countries of concern”, including China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, and cautioned state governments against sending their police and security officials to attend events organised by agencies from these countries without referring the matter to the Centre.

Raising internal security concerns, the ministry said that state officials should not directly accept any invitation to attend events for cooperation, training, joint exercise and exchange of views.

Ministry officials claimed even private foreign organisations dealing in security equipment or organising security-related conferences have to be verified properly before an invitation is accepted.

The home ministry has asked state governments not to engage directly with agencies from countries of concern which includes China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran on issues related to internal security and the matter instead should be first referred to the Centre as it involves national security.

The Centre has asked the states to ensure that police or security forces under them should not deal directly with countries of concern and any request from them on matters of internal security without consulting the home ministry first.

In a recent communication to the states, the home ministry observed that it was noticed some agencies from countries of concern were forwarding invitations on issues, including mutual

For matters like counter-terror programmes, fake currency, drugs, human trafficking countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have been included in the list of country of concern

cooperation, training, joint exercise and exchange of views, directly to state and Union Territory police without informing or sending such invitation first to the home ministry.

The ministry claimed while cooperation at international level was desirable there was need to be more careful in dealing with foreign agencies particularly if they are from countries of concern in view of over all national security.

Officials said they had identified different countries of concern with the help of Central intelligence agencies on issues like training of officers related to forensics, explosions, investigation, procurement of weapons or security equipment.

For internal security cooperation, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan have been identified as are countries of concern and in case state agencies start dealing with private companies or government organisations from there it could compromise different aspects of internal security, officials claimed.

Similarly, for matters like counter-terror programmes, fake currency, drugs, human trafficking countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have been included in the list of country of concern.