India-Vietnam MoU for coop in security matters

New Delhi, Mar 24: India and Vietnam today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation in security matters, which would include international terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and transnational crime. The MoU was signed here following delegation-level talks between Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the visiting Vietnamese Minister for Public Security General Le Hong Anh.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the ongoing initiatives and discussed issues relevant to wider and enhanced co-operation in security-related matters. Capacity-building and training issues were substantially addressed. General Anh is visiting India with a team of senior officers on the invitation of the Home Minister. The visit has further catalysed the momentum in high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Mr Patil had earlier paid an official visit to Vietnam from 8th to 10th October last year. During the visit, a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between India and Vietnam was signed. The Treaty facilitates widest measures of mutual assistance in prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime, service of summons and other judicial documents, execution of warrants and other judicial commissions, tracing, restraint, forfeiture, confiscation of proceeds, and instruments of crime.

During the visit, India had agreed to impart training to officers of Vietnam in investigation of bank fraud cases, organised crimes, money laundering, economic offences, drug trafficking, cyber crime and scientific investigation. Two courses have been conducted and more are likely to be conducted shortly.

India had also agreed to set up in Vietnam a laboratory on cyber forensic at an estimated cost of Rs 2.2 crore in a phased manner.

The components of this project are being put together in a prioritised manner.

UNI