(a) whether India and France have finalised the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement on criminal matters and also exchange of foreign prisoners;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether an extradition treaty has also been signed between the two countries; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI VINOD KHANNA)
(a) Yes, the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement on Criminal Matters between India and France has been finalized and the Agreement on Transfer of Prisoners is under active consideration of the Government of India.
(b) The Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement on Criminal Matters was signed between India and France on January 25, 1998 during the visit of the President of France to India. Agreement on the final text of the Agreement has now been reached and the two sides are processing the ratification of the Agreement.
(c) Yes,
(d) The Extradition Treaty was signed between India and France on January 24, 2003 during the visit of Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister of India to France.