Tuesday, May 30 2006 18:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Singapore: Emphasising that intelligence sharing is a key requisite for combating terrorism, India and Singapore today (May 30, 2006) decided to exchange vital information to fight terror and organised transnational crime.

"The two sides have agreed to share information and intelligence which is vital for tackling terrorism and transnational crime," a senior official told sources after Home Minister Shivraj Patil held wide-ranging talks with his Singaporean counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kang Sen here.

Leading a six-member delegation of top officials, Patil, who arrived here early this morning on a three-day visit, discussed a range of security-related issues to enhance bonds between various agencies and police forces of the two sides.

The official said, "The talks the Home Minister had with the leadership here has been extremely productive and will be beneficial for the two countries. They focussed on peace and security, cooperation between security agencies and India's role in ASEAN," a powerful grouping of South-East Asian countries.

After the nearly hour-long parleys, Wong said Singapore's strict vigilance had helped avert terrorist strikes after the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Patil, who met former Prime Minister and currently Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also, said India believed in resolving its problems through dialogue and in a peaceful manner.

Besides issues of security, intelligence sharing, cooperation between police forces and vigilance, matters connected with the role of India, a dialogue partner of ASEAN, and a gamut of bilateral issues figured during the talks, the official said.

Observing that dialogue and discussions were good for the region and in the interest of Asia, Patil, during the talks, said that peace and tranquility were pre-requisite for growth and development, and New Delhi stood for prosperity of the region.

The Home Minister also discussed ways to combat trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and exchanged views of capacity building between security agencies of the two countries.



At Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry, Patil was briefed on the city-state's police system, measures taken to protect key installations, its surveillance machinery, counter- terrorism steps and an update on the region's security scenario. The Home Minister also visited the nerve centre at the headquarters of Singapore's police.

Patil is scheduled to meet Singapore's President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tomorrow and hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar, who is the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Law.

Among others accompanying the Home Minister are Secretary (Border Management) B S Lalli, Additional Secretary P V Bhide, Deputy Director General of Narcotics Control Board (NCB) Rajiv Walia, Joint Secretary (South) in the External Affairs Biren Nanda and a senior official of the Intelligence Bureau.

During his stay, Patil will visit Singapore's Civil Defence Academy and Home Team Academy besides delivering alecture at the prestigious Institute of South-East Asian Studies on 'Success of India's Democracy and Federation'.

Patil will also be meeting some leading members of Indian community settled in the city-state before returning home on June two.