International calls made via the Internet have become a concern for the Indian security agencies and they have requested a ban on international internet telephony until a system of tracing such calls is put into working. The agencies fear that internet calls to and from foreign countries can be used in militant activity from overseas.

India’s primary concern seems to be the militant groups operating in Pakistan, ever since the Mumbai Attacks of November 2008 in which 166 people were killed and the Indian police found evidence of the attackers’ communicating with militants in Pakistan via cell phones and the internet. Emails have also been the point of concern to Indian security agencies and the Blackberry service, e-communication of which can’t be traced or intercepted, agreed to follow the directions of Indian security department after discussing the matter with them.

Indian Telecommunication Secretary Siddharth Behura has confirmed the request of the security agencies regarding internet telephony. The Internet Service Providers Association of India has agreed to follow the requirements of the security agencies.