Indo-Nepal Extradition treaty to be delayed

New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) Nepal Home Minister Krishna Prasad Situala has put off his visit to India, which will further delay the signing of a new extradition treaty, to replace the existing one which came into being nearly 50 years ago.

A Home Ministry official said that Mr Situala's three-day visit, scheduled for tomorrow has been "put off for the time being." "No new date has been announced," he said.

Mr Situala was to have met Home Minister Shivraj Patil and discussed a wide ranging bilateral security and border issues.

The postponement of Mr Situala's visit would further delay signing of a new treaty between the two countries on extradition.

The existing treaty has been found to be outdated and archaic in the light of growing nexus among the trans-border criminals.

The new treaty is aimed at addressing problems like drug and human trafficking along the 1,700 km long border with the Himalayan kingdom.

The existing extradition treaty between the two countries was signed in October 1953 in Kathmandu when M P Koirala was the Prime Minister. The Indian side was then represented by the then Indian ambassador in Kathmandu B K Gokhale.

Preparations were made by both the governments for the signing of a new extradition treaty two years ago. However, the political developments in Nepal in February last year led to the delay, the official said.

India and Nepal have close social, cultural and economic ties.

UNI SH LL BD1929