The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher A Wray Tuesday informed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that his agency was “aggressively investigating” the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in March this year.
Wray, who visited the NIA headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday, also discussed the need to deepen India-US strategic relationship, in order to counter constantly-evolving challenges and threats of terrorism, an official quoted by news agency PTI said.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco was attacked on March 19 this year. The group behind the act attacked Consulate officials, damaged public property, and attempted to set the building on fire using inflammable substances. Later, on July 2some unidentified attackers also attempted to set the building on fire.
According to the official, “candid and wide-ranging discussions” were held on various issues, which included terrorist-organised criminal networks and their activities. During the meeting, NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta talked about the active nexus of terrorist groups and elements with members of organised criminal syndicates, which was spreading to the US as well.
The timing of the meeting is significant as last month, allegations emerged that an Indian official was involved in an assassination attempt on Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. India has since then constituted a team to probe the charges.
On the nexus between terror actors and organised crime syndicates, Wray said a blending of lines between terrorists and criminals was now visible in cyberspace. He added that cybercrimes were now being committed to fund terrorism. NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta also remarked that the Internet was being used as a tool to propagate radical views and recruit individuals for terror-related activities.
Wray further noted that terror attacks like 9/11 and 26/11 have transformed how nations respond to threats posed by terrorism. He also highlighted the need for FBI and NIA to take their cooperation to the next level.
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First published on: 12-12-2023 at 22:41 IST