World intelligence chiefs hold closed-door meeting, Russia not included.

US and Chinese intelligence officials, along with representatives from more than 20 major intelligence agencies around the world, held a secret meeting on the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue on June 4th.

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines (center) attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 3. (Source: Reuters)

Reuters reported that such meetings, hosted by the Singaporean government and held discreetly at a separate location, have been held in parallel with the Shangri-La Dialogue for many years.

Previously, there had been no reports of this meeting taking place on the sidelines of this year's Shangri-La Dialogue. According to Reuters sources, this is a key scheduled meeting on the international "underground" agenda, and the tone is cooperative rather than confrontational.

According to one source, "there's an unwritten rule among intelligence agencies that they can discuss things when formal and public diplomacy is more difficult – that's a very important factor during times of tension, and the Singapore event helped to facilitate that."

The US Director of National Intelligence, head of the US intelligence community, Avril Haines, attended the event, while China was among other countries present, despite tensions between the two superpowers.

Mr. Samant Goel, head of India's Foreign Intelligence Gathering (RAW) agency, attended the meeting.

One source said that no Russian representatives were present. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Volodymr V Havrylov was present at the Shangri-La Dialogue but said he did not attend the intelligence briefing.

One source said that no Russian representatives were present at the meeting. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Volodymr V Havrylov was present at the Shangri-La Dialogue but said he did not attend the intelligence briefing.

Previously, a spokesperson for the Singapore Ministry of Defence stated that, when attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, delegates "including senior officials from intelligence agencies also have the opportunity to meet their counterparts."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/doi-thoai-shangri-la-trum-tinh-bao-the-gioi-hop-kin-khong-co-nga-229654.html