Question : INDO NEPAL BILATERAL TREATIES



(a) whether India has offered two bilateral treaties to Nepal for combating International Crime and Terrorism;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the time when it was made; and

(c) the Nepal`s reaction thereto?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)

(a) The Government of India have transmitted through diplomatic channels a draft of a Bilateral Agreement for Mutual Legal assistance in Criminal Matters to HMGN and a model text of an Extradition Treaty for updating the 1953 Extradition Treaty between India and Nepal consistent with the practical requirements of the two sides and current international practice.

(b) The proposed draft Agreements were transmitted on June 22, 1999. Both drafts are based on UN model texts. The proposed Agreement on Mutual legal Assistance in Criminal Matters is expected to facilitate cooperation in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of crime, including crimes related to terrorism. Updating the extradition Treaty has been proposed to make the existing extradition arrangement between the two countries more effective, by incorporating provision for reciprocal extradition of offenders, which have become accepted international practice.

(c) His Majesty`s Government of Nepal has indicated that these proposals are being examined.