India and the US have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in cybercrime investigations, per the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cyber crime investigations will allow the respective agencies of the two countries to step up cooperation and training on use of cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics in criminal investigations, noted a statement issued by the MEA on Saturday.

“Cyber crime has intricate linkages with the common security challenges faced by India and the US, such as terrorism and violent extremism, terror financing, drug trafficking, organised crime, human trafficking, illegal migration, money laundering and transportation security” the statement pointed out.

The MoU, signed in Washington DC on January 17, will enable further strengthening of India-US security cooperation, as part of comprehensive and global strategic partnership between the two countries, it said.

Ambassador of India to the US, Vinay Kwatra and Acting US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristie Canegallo signed the MoU on behalf of their countries.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs will be responsible for execution of the MoU on India’s side.  

From the US side, the responsible agencies include the Department of Homeland Security and its constituent agencies the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Centre.