New Delhi: A special counter-terrorism division has been set up in the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) under a senior official for ensuring better coordination with agencies dealing with this issue.

The division, headed by Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary, will be the nodal point in projecting a comprehensive policy on counter-terrorism.

With increasing concerns over the threats posed by terrorism, which has become a major issue during parleys with key interlocutors, it was felt that there was need for a coordinated approach instead of a piece-meal one.

In the normal course, the territorial division head, a joint secretary-level officer, is entrusted with the task of formulating suitable responses to issues of terrorism and counter-terrorism.

Shankar will also have to closely coordinate with officials from the Home Ministry, National Security Council, RAW, Military Intelligence and other agencies.

The new division will liaise with a number of joint working groups on counter-terrorism which India has set up with the US and several other countries.

PTI