OSAC, a public-private initiative between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and security experts from U.S.-based organisations abroad
The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) India Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place in Chennai on October 24, hosted by U.S. Consul General Chris Hodges and Tamil Nadu Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan. The event aimed to deepen security cooperation between U.S. government agencies and private-sector security professionals across India.
OSAC, a public-private initiative between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and security experts from U.S.-based organisations abroad, facilitates shared information, insights, and resources to safeguard U.S. interests overseas. This year’s AGM fostered collaboration between the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai and security personnel from across India, emphasising training, joint events, consultations, and real-time threat alerts.
Scott Schonauer, Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officer from the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, highlighted the importance of building trust and strong networks with Indian counterparts, focusing on inclusive approaches. “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,” said Schonauer.
The event also showcased Tamil Nadu’s commitment to inclusive practices, with Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan noting, “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 the U.S.-India relationship – commercially and strategically. In this era of targeted threats, we need to stay advanced and keep learning every day to keep ourselves safe. OSAC is a great model of private-public partnership.”
This year’s AGM saw record attendance, with over 500 delegates—the largest turnout in OSAC India’s history. The event introduced the first-ever “Security Excellence Awards,” honouring 14 leaders for their contributions to the security field. Enhanced partnerships were highlighted, with 25 organisations supporting the conference, including a collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University, Pondicherry. Through this partnership, 25 student volunteers participated, gaining valuable insights from industry leaders.
Under the theme “Together, Stronger, and Safer,” OSAC India reinforced its commitment to diversity, cooperation, and best practices, working towards a safer operating environment through collaborative public-private partnerships across India.