NEW DELHI, Jan 25: India and France today signed two agreements aimed at combating international terrorism, scams and other crimes and bringing fugitive offenders to justice.The agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil matters were signed between the two sides after official talks between the visiting French president Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister I K Gujral at Hyderabad House.
The accord on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters will enable India and France to combat crime and facilitate the bringing of fugitive offenders to justice and reaffirm the shared concern of the two countries over the globalisation and internationalisation of crime, terrorism and economic offences, an external affairs ministry spokesman said. The agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil matters will provide a framework for transmission and serving of documents, obtaining of documents and recognition and enforcement of the substantial commercial and economic links between the two countries, the
spokesman said.
The 75-minute talks between the two sides was followed by a lunch hosted by Gujral in honour of the visiting dignitary.
The two sides are also finalising an extradition treaty to be signed later. France has laos offered to bolster cooperation with India in the nuclear power sector as it sought New Delhi's support for global accords on prohibition of anti-personnel mines and to check reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions.
Stating that India's energy needs were immense, Chirac proposed setting up of a joint group of specialists to examine ways to enhance cooperation in this sector. Delivering his address on ``India and France- A partnership for the 21st century'' at Vigyan Bhavan, he said ``this means, however, that certain conditions are to be met.'' ``I suggest we reflect, together with those of our partners involved, on the ways to reconcile our common will to cooperate and the necessary respect for the rules the international community has set itself,''he said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
