NEW DELHI: With the Modi government keen to promote private sector participation in defence production, apart from having already raised the FDI cap in the sector to 49%, the defence ministry has asked the Intelligence Bureau to keep tabs on any attempt to leak classified information to foreign nationals.

“CEOs of private sector firms will have to report to the IB about the visit of foreign nationals within 15 days of any such visit to their production facilities,” says a MoD circular, issued recently.The government has also directed private sector companies engaged in defence production projects to ensure there are better security systems in place, which will be audited by IB on a regular basis. The steps include the appointment of Indian-origin persons as chief security and cyber security information officers.“Foreign nationals should not be allowed to visit areas in a facility where work on sensitive defence projects is in progress. The Officials Secrets Act will be applicable to people working on such projects. Rules governing use of cell-phones, perimeter security and the like have also been issued,” said an official.