Thaindian News

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) – The United States and India signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to intensify information sharing on issues ranging from terror probes to cyber and border security, the Hindustan Times reported.

“The United States is committed to South and Central Asia, and deeper U.S.-Indian military-to-military relations will make the region and globe safer and more secure,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, said.

The memorandum was signed in New Delhi, India, by Timothy Roemer, the U.S. ambassador to India, and Home Affairs Minister G.K. Pillai. It came after Mullen’s warning of another terrorist attack in India like the one on November 26, 2008, in Mumbai, which resulted in the death of at least 173 people.

“Both of our nations have sacrificed at the hands of terror and stand steadfast against all terrorists. Both of us have learned a great deal on our own and stand to learn even more from each other in areas like counterinsurgency, nonproliferation, anti-piracy and regional defense,” Mullen said in Washington, D.C.

The initiative will expand collaboration on counterterrorism, information sharing and capacity building. The initiative looks at closer working arrangements on transportation security; money laundering; maritime, port and border security; cyber security; and mega-city policing.

Mullen also said that he expects that the U.S.-India military relationships would be taken to the next level.

“As good as our relationship is with the Indian military today, tomorrow I would like to see it get even better.” Mullen said. “The region is still too dangerous, the challenges we face together are still too great for us not to become better friends and for our relationship to become more routine.”