India set to sign treaty with Afghanistan to share intelligence, co-operation in dealing crimes

NEW DELHI: India is set to sign a treaty with Afghanistan which will help the two countries share intelligence and cooperate in dealing with crimes, a development that is like to upset Pakistan, which has been opposing such a bilateral agreement for the past 15 years.

The Narendra Modi government will sign a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Afghanistan during President Ashraf Ghani’s maiden trip to India on April 27-28, officials said.

The home ministry has prepared a draft note for the treaty which will be cleared by the Cabinet before the pact is signed by the two countries, they added.

“This will not only help the agencies achieve a more effective coordination but also instil fear among fugitives and terrorists taking shelter in Afghanistan,” a senior official said.

Discussions are also underway to ink an extradition treaty between two nations but Afghanistan does not seem to be too keen about it, said the official, requesting not to be named.

An MLAT facilitates mutual assistance in prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime, service of summons and other judicial documents, execution of warrants and other judicial commissions and tracing, restraint, forfeiture and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crimes.