The National Investigation Agency has been created in pursuance of the enactment of the NIA Act, 2008, and it is mandated, at the national level, to investigate and prosecute offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign States and offences under Acts enacted to implement international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions of the United Nations and other international organizations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

From the pattern of recent terrorist attacks in different parts of the country, it is clear that these attacks are planned centrally and executed in a very coordinated manner. On the other hand, investigations and trials of these cases in different States where such terrorist attacks/incidents take place tend to be state-centric. This is taken advantage of by the terrorist attack planners/handlers inimical to the country. To counter such designs, it becomes necessary that such investigations and prosecutions, as well as tracking of terrorists and fugitives from across the country, are also centrally coordinated, which would deny any advantage to terrorists.

As per the National Investigation Agency (Manner of Constitution) Rules, 2008, NIA is to provide assistance to, and seek assistance from other intelligence and investigation agencies of the Central Government and State Governments.

A workshop on NIA was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Vigyan Bhawan on 12th June, 2009 to explain the legal framework to fight terrorism in the country. It was also suggested that NIA should hold regional quarterly meetings with State Police and Union Territory Police forces to discuss status of cases under investigation and prosecution, fugitives, and other issues relating to mutual cooperation and assistance in criminal investigation etc. Pursuant to this decision the states have nominated Nodal officers and quarterly coordination meetings are held Zone-wise to discuss the above issues.