4-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) Senior officials from approximately two dozen major intelligence agencies across the globe gathered for a confidential meeting during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, according to sources familiar with the matter. The meeting, which has been taking place discreetly for several years, is organized by the Singapore government and held separately from the security summit. This year’s meeting marks the first time it has been reported.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines represented the United States, leading her country’s intelligence community, while China and India were also among the countries present, despite the existing tensions between these superpowers. The head of India’s Research and Analysis Wing, Samant Goel, was in attendance, as confirmed by an Indian source.
The discussions held at the meeting serve as a crucial component of the international intelligence landscape. While not focused on tradecraft, the gathering promotes a deeper understanding of intentions and boundaries among participating countries, particularly during periods of heightened tension. The event in Singapore provides a platform for intelligence services to engage when formal diplomatic channels may be more challenging.
All sources discussing the secret meeting requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject matter.
A spokesperson for the Singapore Ministry of Defence stated that senior officials from intelligence agencies hold bilateral or multilateral meetings during their participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue. The ministry facilitates some of these meetings, which have proven beneficial to the participants.
The US Embassy in Singapore claimed to have no knowledge of the meeting, and requests for comment from the Chinese and Indian governments went unanswered.
The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand operate the Five Eyes network, an intelligence-sharing alliance. Their intelligence officials frequently convene, but larger meetings of the intelligence community are rare and rarely publicized.
While specific details regarding the discussions in Singapore remain limited, sources revealed that topics such as Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and transnational crime were on the agenda. The intelligence chiefs also held an informal gathering on Thursday evening.
Notably, no Russian representative was present at the meeting, according to one source. Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Volodymr V Havrylov, who attended the Shangri-La Dialogue, stated that he did not participate in the intelligence meeting.
Sources described the overall tone of the meeting as collaborative, cooperative, and non-confrontational.
The main security dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel involved more than 600 delegates from 49 countries. Plenary sessions, as well as closed-door bilateral and multilateral meetings, took place over three days. Keynote addresses were delivered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, and counterparts from Britain, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, and South Korea.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines was part of the official US delegation at the Shangri-La Dialogue. During a discussion on cybersecurity, she emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries, even in the face of distrust and adversarial relationships. Haines stressed the need to work together on issues of mutual interest and manage the potential for escalation.
In recent news, it was announced that CIA Director William Burns visited China last month for talks with Chinese counterparts, demonstrating the Biden administration’s efforts to enhance communication with Beijing.
