Interview with Janet Napolitano Homeland Security Secretary United States of America

Question: You are travelling to New Delhi for the launch of India-US Homeland Security Dialogue. What are you looking forward to in this dialogue in terms of specifics?

Answer: I think in this dialogue, we are going to be engaging on a number of important security topics. One would be how we secure, the global supply chain, in other words porous borders. How we move goods from one country to another and make sure that they are safe and secure and are not by themselves are transmitting explosives or other biological weapons or any other short of cargo. So that is none area. Another area is what we call Mega City Policing. In other words in both of our countries, we are very concerned on how we can confront issues like critical internet response in a terrorism operation, in a counter-narcotics operations, disaster management, when you are working in an environment that is a large city and how do you make sure that information is shared appropriately that u call you have inapprobiality between different entities meaning that they can talk with each other even when an event is occurring. So that would be another area. A third area that we would pursue would be illegal smuggling of cash, financial fraud, counterfeiting, the illicit movement of money is very important in the fight against trans-national crime, particularly terrorism, as we try to choke off the life line of some of these terrorist organization. And then lastly, I am going to open a dialogue that includes cyber security which is necessary ti protect the networks are critical infrastructure.

Question: Quite a wide range of issue, indeed. But intelligence sharing and cooperation in counter-terrorism between India and the US is still in the nascent stage. How do you think this Dialogue will help in these areas?

Answer: I think, it will help in a number of places. First of all, it is wide ranging, we are bringing a large delegation with us including experts in all of these areas. So it is really intended to open up, open the door on a number of important topics. And then I would expect that in many of these areas one of the things that they would decided is how they need to proceed, in other words this would be the beginning of the on going process.

Question: Talking about intelligence sharing between India and the US, has there been an occasion after 26 / 11 when the US tipped off India about a possible terror attack which was thwarted?

Answer: Well, I think that the United States is very committed for cooperation and support in the ongoing terrorism investigations. That being said, I think it would be inappropriate for me to discuss specific information that is being shared or has been shared.

Question: It is being felt in some quarters in India that the US is not as forthcoming in sharing intelligence inputs as should be, particularly with regard to terrorism based in Pakistan and directed against India. What is your comment on this?

Answer: No. I think, the United States is committed to sharing information with our close allies, to help them protect security. We have a joint interest in this. That being said, we do not discuss publicly, the details of this co-operation because protection of sources, investigation is very important to us.

Question: With regard to 26/11 attacks, it is being seriously believed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was involved. The names of at least two Major-rank officers have come to light, which is in FBI charge sheet filed in Chicago, and India suspects that there could be deeper involvement of the ISI. What is your assessment or the inputs available with you in this regard? And have you shared it with India?

Answer: Let me address it this way, after the Mumbai attack, the United States made very clear that there is international responsibility to cooperate and bring the perpetrators to justice. I think that given that the federal trial of Rana is currently under way in Chicago, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any names that would be coming up in that trial. But I would remind you that last June during the US India Strategic Dialogue, Secretary Clinton reiterated our government’s continued commitment to cooperation and support in terms of counter terrorism investigations.

Question: Since you brought this up, even though I know this comes under Department of Justice, India has requested for access to Rana. India was previously given access to Headley. Is this something that India should look favorably for …. They might get access to Rana?

Answer: You know what. I think that’s really not a question that I can answer. That is a Justice Department question.

Question: Referring to the Osama bin Laden episode, apparently the US Administration was sure that some people in Pakistani establishment knew that he was in Pakistan. Clearly there was trust deficit. India also has been saying that it cannot trust Pakistan on the issue of fight against terrorism. How do you see this suspicion in India? After this OBL incident, do you think there is ground for India to be suspicious?

Answer: The United States thinks that there has to be some kind of support network for bin Laden inside Pakistan. We do not know, who and what that support network was. We do not know there might have been people inside the government or who were directly involved. That is something for investigations and importantly that is something that the Pakistani Government needs to investigate and investigate thoroughly. They have already indicated to us that they have an interest in finding out what kind of support networks that bin Laden have had and we are encouraging them to pursue that very aggressively. I would say that improved United States relationship with Pakistan are good for India, because it is good for the region. We welcome and encourage better relations between India and Pakistan. Because the bottom line is since 9/11, attacks on the US, Pakistan has been a good counter-terrorism partner with us and India has been a good counter-terrorism partner with us.

Question: Madam Secretary you were in India before in your personal capacity. I think you did a walking trek there some years ago.

Answer: I did. It was in 1989.

Question: Tell us more about it, where did you go and what was your impression about India then?

Answer: We walked from Srinagar to Leh.

Question: I think that was the peak of the insurgency they?

Answer: It (Insurgency) was just at the beginning. It was a year before they really closed off Kashmir.

Question: How was your experience there?

Answer: Very moving. We began on a Hindu conglomerate trail then made our way through incredibly beautiful areas villages, met wonderful people up to the areas which were primarily Buddhist in nature and it was enlightening in many respects. Then I came back to Delhi. Went to the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal, which people have to see in person. Seeing a picture does not quite do it.

Question: What is your impression about India from that visit of the US?

Answer: Of course that was a long time ago. And I think, one impression was that a country that is remarkably diverse and had a remarkably rich cultural history.

Question: I know, this is a very short trip for you. But do you have any plans to go for sightseeing or do some shopping?

Answer: I don’t know. They do not let me know, till I get there. I hope so.