Meeting with Ambassador of India

Delegation of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) led by Director M. Khamidov held a productive working meeting with Mr. Y.K. Sailas Thangal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan, on 11 February 2026 in Astana.

The meeting was also attended by Y. Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, and Colonel Pankaj K. Vidyarthi, Military Attaché of the Embassy of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

During the meeting parties discussed a wide range of topics of mutual interest and emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating international crime, providing a solid foundation for further collaboration at regional and global levels.

Particular attention was paid to the link between terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, which increasingly pose complementary threats to national and international security. Participants emphasized that transnational criminal networks use proceeds from drug trafficking to finance terrorist activities, which calls for coordinated action by law enforcement and security services with participation of international partners.

Parties highlighted the importance of information sharing and joint analytical efforts to identify and crack down on terrorist financing channels through criminal drug trafficking routes. They stressed how important it is to strengthen data sharing between competent authorities and use international best practices to boost effectiveness of joint operations and investigations.

Another topic of discussion was tackling illicit drug trafficking in cyberspace. Participants focused on growing challenges associated with the use of digital platforms and cryptographic technologies for distribution of prohibited substances. 

They agreed on the need to develop joint mechanisms for monitoring, analyzing threats, and sharing experiences in digital forensics, as well as enhancing professional skills of law enforcement officers to effectively combat drug crime in the digital environment.

An agreement has been reached to further strengthen cooperation aimed at countering transnational threats, enhancing regional security, and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between CARICC member states and the Republic of India.