John Kerry is in New Delhi for the fourth edition of the India-US strategic dialogue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials said that under cyber security consultations the two countries would consider overall bilateral cooperation on cyber-security, cyber security best practices, supply chain security and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. In fact, the sources said, that an exchange of cyber cooperation is already underway. ‘Robust operational cooperation continues between India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team,’ the
officials said.
This is despite India’s firm stand earlier on the controversy. MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin had said on 11 June that the reports of spying are ‘unacceptable and concerning’. He had added that if it is discovered that Indian laws relating to privacy of information of ordinary Indian citizens have been violated, we would find it unacceptable.
The Supreme Court last week had also agreed to give an urgent hearing to a PIL on this issue.