India on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to working with international partners to combat terrorism, transnational organised crime and related criminal networks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that threats including drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal arms trade and organised criminal activities continue to pose serious challenges to societies worldwide.

Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and the United States have developed a strong and expanding framework of cooperation against terrorism and transnational organised crime. He said security agencies from both countries have been coordinating closely over the years and that the partnership continues to strengthen.

The remarks came after the US Department of Justice announced federal indictments against individuals linked to international organised crime groups accused of crimes including murder, extortion, kidnapping, firearms trafficking and large-scale drug trafficking. The cases were announced under “Operation Hard Ball” on July 8 and involved 37 defendants allegedly connected to three transnational criminal organisations operating across the United States, Canada and Europe.

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Jaiswal said India has consistently highlighted the dangers posed by criminal networks involved in terrorism, narcotics trafficking and other illegal activities. He added that India remains focused on strengthening law enforcement and security cooperation with partner countries to address these challenges effectively.

The US investigation also involved concerns over attacks targeting members of the Indian diaspora in North America, with authorities alleging that some criminal groups used violence, intimidation and extortion to expand their operations. US officials said the multinational operation resulted in the arrest of 24 suspects as part of efforts to disrupt these networks.

The developments also followed remarks from Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland, who said investigators had found no evidence linking Indian government officials to the US investigation involving gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and other accused individuals. Responding to the statement, Jaiswal said the comments were consistent with the recently unsealed US indictments and reaffirmed India’s willingness to cooperate with global partners in tackling terrorism and organised crime through coordinated security efforts.

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