The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): Enhancing National Security

Recently, the Union Home Minister asked the Directors General of Police to share adequate information and actionable inputs through the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC). The Centre wants the States to share more intelligence inputs through the MAC.

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What is Multi-Agency Centre (MAC)?

The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) is a crucial component of India's counter-terrorism efforts. Established in 2001 after the Kargil war, it operates under the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). This center serves as a hub for sharing intelligence inputs among various agencies, facilitating seamless communication and cooperation in the realm of national security. Let's delve deeper into the key aspects of the MAC.

Structure and Location

• The MAC's primary headquarters is situated in Delhi, functioning as the nerve center for intelligence coordination.
• In addition to the main center, subsidiary Multi-Agency Centers (SMACs) are located in state capitals. Daily meetings are conducted in these SMACs to analyse the intelligence inputs received within the previous 24 hours.
• The MAC also hosts focused group meetings where specific information related to particular theaters is discussed, with participation limited to concerned agencies.

Membership

• The MAC includes all organisations involved in counter-terrorism efforts, ensuring comprehensive coverage and cooperation.
• Every Indian state has its own subsidiary multi-agency center (SMAC) located in the respective state capitals.

Coverage

• The MAC encompasses 28 organisations, including the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), armed forces, and state police.
• A network of approximately 400 secured sites is connected to the MAC headquarters, enabling real-time sharing of intelligence inputs.

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Need for Multi Agency Centre in India

The continued threats of terrorism and global terror groups, terror financing, narco-terrorism, organised crime-terror nexus, illicit use of cyberspace, and movement of foreign terrorist fighters are being noticed. Therefore, better coordination and synergy among the central and state security agencies is needed to counter the ever-changing counter-terrorism and security challenges.

Challenges and Issues Associated With MAC

Despite its critical role, the MAC faces several challenges that hinder its effectiveness in countering security threats.

Coordination Gaps

• One of the major challenges is the gap in sharing critical information at the right time. The timely sharing of actionable intelligence remains a pressing concern.
• Coordination issues and distrust among intelligence agencies have impeded timely actions to prevent terrorist incidents.
• States often exhibit reluctance to share information on the platform, as highlighted in a parliamentary standing committee report in 2020. The report noted that the contribution from state agencies has been comparatively lower in the overall inputs received at the MAC.

To strengthen India's counter-terrorism efforts, several measures can be taken:

• Intelligence agencies should prioritise increased coordination and cooperation not only at the district, state, and regional levels but also on the international stage by collaborating with friendly foreign counterparts.
• Developing and sharing intelligence across borders is essential to mitigate and nullify threats effectively.

Read more about the Central information Commission!

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

The National Intelligence Grid, commonly known as NATGRID, is another significant initiative aimed at enhancing India's national security by facilitating seamless information exchange.

Genesis

• NATGRID's inception dates back to 2009, following the Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008. It was allocated a budget of 2,800 crores.
• The 26/11 terrorist siege in Mumbai exposed the deficiency in security agencies' capabilities to access vital information in real-time.

Objectives

NATGRID is conceptualised as a secure and comprehensive database for information on terrorists, economic crimes, and similar incidents. Its primary goals include:

• Bolstering India's capabilities to prevent terrorist attacks.
• Providing real-time access to classified information related to immigration, banking, individual taxpayers, air and train travel, and more.

Read more about the central bureau of investigation!

Features

NATGRID boasts several noteworthy features:

• It functions as an online database, aggregating fragmented pieces of information onto a single platform.
• NATGRID is exempted from the Right to Information Act, 2005, under sub-section (2) of Section 24.
• Advanced technologies like Big Data and data analytics are employed to study and analyse vast amounts of data from various intelligence and enforcement agencies.
• The system intends to set up an Entity Extraction, Visualization, and Analytics (EVA) system to enhance its analytical capabilities.

Read more about the Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) play pivotal roles in fortifying India's national security apparatus. By addressing challenges and fostering greater cooperation among intelligence agencies, India can better respond to the evolving threats posed by terrorism and other security challenges.

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