A secret meeting of senior officials from approximately 24 major intelligence agencies took place on the periphery of the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore. The meetings, which have not been previously reported, have been organised by the Singapore government for several years. US Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, was in attendance, as were representatives from China, India and other countries. Sources note that the event gives intelligence services an opportunity to talk more freely than in formal and public diplomacy, promoting a deeper understanding of intentions and “bottom lines”. Little is known about the discussions, but transnational crime and Russia’s war in Ukraine were said to feature in Friday’s talks.