Don’t deal with Pakistan, China directly, MHA advises states

New Delhi, AUG 13: The Union Home Ministry has advised all states not to deal directly with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and other nations on issues related to internal security. Such matters should be addressed to the Centre first, the advisory also states.

The advisory states that in such matters the Centre must be consulted first. The communication states that it was noticed that some agencies from countries of concern were forwarding invitations on issues such as mutual cooperation, training, joint exercise and exchange of views directly to states and union territories, without informing the Home Ministry first.

While cooperation is desirable, there was a need to be more careful while dealing with countries of concern in view of national security, the ministry also stated. In the case of internal security cooperation, countries such as Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and Iran have been identified as countries of concern. In terms of counter terror programmes, fake currency, drugs and human trafficking, Syria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been identified as countries of concern.