Press Releases 2005

U.S.-India Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ratified

October 3, 2005

NEW DELHI - United States and India today exchanged the Instruments of Ratification for the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLAT).  The ratification brings into immediate force the Treaty, which represents an important step forward in India-U.S. law enforcement and counter-terrorism cooperation.

U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford and Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal today signed the Protocol by which the Instruments of Ratification for the MLAT, previously signed by the Presidents of India and the United States, were exchanged between the two countries.  The Government of India and the Government of the United States of America had originally signed the MLAT on October 17, 2001.

At a brief signing ceremony at the Home Ministry today, Ambassador Mulford said the U.S. is very pleased to reach the moment when the MLAT comes into force between India and the U.S.  "We are confident this treaty will further enhance cooperation between our two countries to combat criminal activities, drug trafficking, and the scourge of terrorism," the Ambassador said.

The Treaty will enhance the ability of the two countries to pursue their common objective of law enforcement by putting in place a regularized channel for obtaining law enforcement assistance from each other. Such a channel will simplify and expedite the process of obtaining responses to request for assistance. It will also improve implementation of the bilateral Extradition Treaty between the two countries that entered into force on July 21, 1999.

During discussions between the two delegations that led to the conclusion of this Treaty, both sides expressed their determination to redouble efforts to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and to use this Treaty as an instrument to that end. Similarly, the Treaty constitutes an important step in the efforts of both countries to work together to combat other serious crimes. While the two countries have co-operated in the past in the fight against such crimes, this Treaty will provide a broader legal basis and enhanced procedural mechanisms to enable both countries to provide assistance in connection with the investigation, prosecution, prevention, and suppression of these offenses.