U.S. Consul General, Tamil Nadu IT Minister Open OSAC India’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai to Foster Public-Private Security Cooperation

Chennai, October 25:  
U.S. Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges and Tamil Nadu Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan hosted the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) India Annual General Meeting on October 24 in Chennai with the aim of fostering cooperation among U.S. Government and U.S. private-sector security professionals across India. 

OSAC is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and security professionals from U.S. organizations operating abroad. Together, OSAC members share timely security information and maintain strong bonds for the protection of U.S. interests overseas. 

The U.S. Consulate General Chennai and diplomatic and corporate security personnel across India used the conference to collaborate with U.S. and Indian private sector partners on trainings, consultations, events, alerts, and analysis.  

Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officer Scott Schonauer from U.S. Consulate General Chennai said, “As security specialists and partners, we aim to build trust through networks with Indian private sector counterparts that model gender equity, and better anticipate security issues, including identifying and tracking threats.”

(Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officer (RSO) Chennai Scott Schonauer speaks at the OSAC India’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on Thursday, October 24, 2024.)

Tamil Nadu IT Minister Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said, “I am happy this historic event is taking place in Chennai. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) are in the DNA of Tamil Nadu. It is good to see OSAC too is following the same. The scale of today’s event is reflective of U.S.-India relationship – commercially and strategically. In this era of targeted threats, we need to stay advanced and keep learning everyday to keep ourselves safe. OSAC is a great model of private-public partnership.” 

Diplomatic Security Senior Regional Security Officer Christopher Gillis from U.S. Embassy New Delhi said, “Today’s conference is an important reinforcement of connectivity between the U.S. Government and private sector to ensure a safer operating environment.” OSAC India – Chennai Chapter Private co-chair John Paul Manickam said, “OSAC Country Chapters in India promote best practices and collaboration among security professionals of U.S. organizations operating in the country.” 

About OSAC Chennai Chapter: The OSAC India Chennai Chapter, co-chaired by RSO Schonauer and John Paul Manickam is one of the oldest OSAC chapters in India. About OSAC India – Bengaluru Chapter: The OSAC India Bengaluru Chapter is co-chaired by RSO Schonauer and Dell Technologies Anubhav Mishra, Regional Security Lead for the Security & Resiliency Organization, and has one of the largest membership networks in India.

Photo Caption 1:  Tamil Nadu Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, U.S. Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges, U.S. Embassy New Delhi’s Diplomatic Security Senior Regional Security Officer Christopher Gillis, Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officer (RSO) Chennai Scott Schonauer, and OSAC India - Chennai Chapter Private co-chair John Paul Manickam with other dignitaries and guests at the OSAC India’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on Thursday, October 24, 2024.