India-Maldives to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters

The Indian cabinet has, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, approved the signing of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters with the Maldives.

Livemint has reported that the agreement aims to enhance the effectiveness of both countries in investigation and prosecution of crime through co-operation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, as well as provide a broad legal framework for bilateral co-operation in the context of transnational crime and linkages to terrorism.

At the same meeting, the cabinet also approved the signing of a maritime transport agreement with Egypt. This agreement will be signed when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visits India for the Third India-Africa Summit, scheduled to take place in New Delhi next week.

The date for the signing of the agreement with the Maldives was not mentioned.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Maldives earlier this month for the Fifth Joint Commission meeting.