India, Nepal Finalise Assistance Pact
India and Nepal have completed the draft of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and agreed to work on revising their long-standing Extradition Treaty. The decisions were made during the Home Secretary-level talks held in New Delhi on July 22 and 23, 2025, marking the first such meeting between the two countries in nine years.
Legal Cooperation Agreement Ready
Officials from both sides finalized the draft of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, which will facilitate stronger cooperation in criminal matters such as the sharing of evidence, prosecution of offenders, and recovery of assets. The agreement aims to streamline legal coordination between Indian and Nepali law enforcement agencies.
Steps Toward a New Extradition Pact
The two countries also discussed modernising their outdated 1953 Extradition Treaty. Both agreed that an updated agreement is needed to deal with present-day challenges such as transnational crime and terrorism. A revised treaty would allow for the extradition of nationals from third countries and fill gaps in the current legal framework.
Focus on Border and Security
The dialogue also covered issues related to border management, including the restoration of damaged border pillars and tackling cross-border crimes like smuggling, human trafficking, fake currency, and drug trade. Both sides agreed to enhance coordination between border security forces and strengthen infrastructure at integrated check posts.
Next Steps
While the MLAT draft is ready for signing, the revised Extradition Treaty will require further discussions. The legal cooperation pact is expected to be signed during an upcoming high-level bilateral visit.
