India to get access to FBI’s terror database

NEW DELHI: India is set to partner a US initiative for real-time exchange of terrorist screening information through the latter’s Terrorist Screening Centre, a multi-agency organisation administered by the FBI which maintains a single, consolidated terrorist database.
The terrorists’ watchlist, which supports the ability of front-line screening agencies to positively identify known or suspected terrorists trying to obtain visas, enter the country, board aircraft or engage in other activity, is one of the most effective counter-terrorism tools not only for the US government but also its international partners.
India will be the latest entrant to the list of 30 countries that have signed agreements with TSC to share their respective terrorist databases. “It will help us tackle the threat from IS with many Indian youth having travelled in the past to Iraq/Syria. Many others were prevented from doing so. By being an international partner in TSC, India will be able to track IS-influenced youth and get alerts as they travel through the member countries,” a senior officer of the security establishment told TOI.
The India-US MoU on partnership with TSC was finalised two months ago after negotiations between US agencies and a sub-committee of Indian intelligence representatives. “The terms of the MoU were worked out to the mutual satisfaction of both sides,” the officer said.
The MoU is likely to be signed in June, when home minister Rajnath Singh travels to the US for the India-US Homeland Security dialogue. Preparatory meetings are on to finalise other pacts to be inked, including one relating to the Global Entry programme. The programme will entitle Indian businessmen to faster immigration clearances upon entry into the US.
TSC is a multi-agency organisation which maintains the US government’s consolidated terrorist watchlist — a single database of identifying information about those known or reasonably suspected of being involved in terrorist activity. It serves as a bridge between law enforcement, homeland security, intelligence community and international partners.
The database includes name of the terror suspect, nationality, date of birth, photos, fingerprints (if any) and passport number.