NEW DELHI: India is set to enter into cybersecurity arrangements with Germany and Spain — with a view to combat online crimes including ransomware type situations as well as terrorism — during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's back-to-back visits to Berlin and Madrid next week.Delhi is fine-tuning cyber-security partnership documents with these European partners with an eye on entering into a similar agreement covering the whole of European Union in future, people familiar with the matter told ET.Key features of cyber-security agreements with both Germany and Spain include joint fight against cybercrimes and countering violent extremism (CVE), said one of the people. Cyber-security dialogues with other European nations are also in the pipeline.While the PM is keen to push use of digital mechanisms within the country, including use of Aadhaar and the BHIM app , what is lesser known is the fact that he is also working on expanding cyber-security cooperation with partner nations. Last year, India entered into such tie-ups with the US and Russia.Joint fight against terrorism is on the agenda with both Germany and Spain, officials said. During the PM's visit to Madrid on May 31, considerable focus will be devoted to counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation partnerships.Spain was hit by terrorism before many other European nations and has expertise and experience in dealing with the menace.Indians — both NRIs and People of Indian Origin — have encountered a unique form of cybercrime in Germany following which Delhi had to step in.Many NRIs and PIOs got extortion calls, demanding that they pay money or risk cancellation of their residency permits or citizenship. Several of them approached the Indian Embassy in Berlin following which the foreign ministry stepped in and is currently working in close coordination with German authorities to deal with the matter.India currently has cyber-security dialogues with 15 nations including Egypt, a key Arab state.

Source: Economic Times May 24, 2017 20:03 UTC