Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 14: India on Tuesday reiterated that terrorism, transnational organised crime and cross-border criminal networks continue to pose serious threats to global security, while highlighting the growing cooperation between Indian and US law enforcement agencies in tackling such challenges.
Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and the United States have built a robust partnership to combat terrorism, organised crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and illegal arms smuggling.
His remarks came in the wake of the US Department of Justice announcing federal indictments against members of several transnational criminal organisations accused of targeting Indian diaspora communities in North America through offences such as murder, extortion and intimidation.
Referring to the US action, Jaiswal said India has consistently maintained that organised crime syndicates involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal firearms trade and related criminal activities represent a significant threat to societies worldwide.
He added that security and investigative agencies from both countries have worked closely for years, with bilateral cooperation continuing to expand in efforts to dismantle international criminal networks.
The indictments were announced under Operation Hard Ball, a multinational law enforcement initiative launched on July 8 (local time). The operation resulted in charges against 37 individuals allegedly linked to three transnational criminal organisations accused of offences including racketeering, murder, kidnapping, extortion, firearms trafficking and large-scale drug smuggling across the United States, Canada and Europe. Authorities have arrested 24 suspects as part of the investigation.
Announcing the operation in Los Angeles, First Assistant US Attorney Bilal A. Essayli said the criminal groups had engaged in widespread violence, including targeted killings, kidnappings and extortion to expand their operations.
Jaiswal also responded to recent remarks by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland, who stated that investigators had found no evidence connecting Indian government officials to the US investigation involving gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and other alleged members of organised crime groups.
Moreland had said that Indian authorities cooperated with investigators throughout the years-long multinational probe conducted jointly by agencies in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Commenting on her statement, the MEA spokesperson said the RCMP's observations were consistent with the recently unsealed US indictment, which attributes criminal responsibility to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime group.
He reiterated that India remains committed to strengthening cooperation with international partners through close coordination between law enforcement and security agencies to combat terrorism and transnational organised crime.