Singapore hosts secret meeting of top intelligence chiefs

The heads of the world's 20 intelligence agencies held a secret meeting during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore. This was reported by Reuters, citing unnamed sources.

The publication said that the meeting was also attended by representatives of China, India and the United States. There were no Russians at the meeting. It is noted that the USA was represented by National Intelligence Director Avril Haynes. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Gavrylov was at the forum but said that he was not present at the intelligence meeting.

The agency said that the intelligence officials discussed the Russian-Ukrainian war and transnational crime.

According to one of the agency's sources, participants in the meeting were intent on cooperation rather than confrontation.

The meeting is an important item on the international non-public agenda. There is an unspoken code among intelligence agencies that they can engage in dialogue even if there are difficulties with more formal and open diplomacy - a very important factor in times of tension. And the event in Singapore contributes to this," said one of the publication's interlocutors.

The Singapore government has been holding such meetings for several years in a row as part of the forum, but they have not been reported before.