India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue

Why in news?

India and Britain explores way to clear bottlenecks in the extradition process in the treaty inked in 1992. The matter was discussed during the first ever India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue.

What is the issue?

• This dialogue took place just two days after the CBI and the ED sent their teams to the UK to expedite Vijay Mallya’s extradition process.
• India so far has been able to extradite only one person in the last 25 years.
• The matter has gained urgency in the context of India seeking the extradition of business tycoon Vijay Mallya.

What are the lingering issues?

• India has the death penalty while UK does not.
• In addition to death penalty the issue of prison facilities was also brought up.
• Both countries agreed to address the challenges of illegal migrant, overstaying Indians in UK subject to nationality verification.
• Regarding criminal data sharing and strengthening cooperation in tackling serious and organised crimes, both sides have agreed to strengthen further the bilateral cooperation and work towards formalizing the arrangements.
• India has raised the issue of visa-related difficulties faced by Indian students, skilled professional and dependents of Indian diplomats.
• Both sides emphasised cooperation on anti-terrorism mechanism and to strengthen mutual support to check cyber crimes.
• The issue of Khalistani militants based in the UK was brought out by India.
• Sharing of intelligence inputs on real-time basis, particularly with regard to IS, both from IS-held territories and modules being busted in the UK and Europe, were discussed.
• India told the British delegation that if one-on-one contact could be established between the prosecuting agency in India and the Crown Prosecution or Department of Prosecution, it would be quicker and easier to present evidence before the judge concerned.
• The Indian side said authorities here would inform the UK about court hearings in cases of criminals wanted by Britain living in India and wanted this to be reciprocated.

Source: Livemint & Indian Express