Rapid Fire
India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters
- 04 Aug 2025
- 1 min read
India and Nepal have finalized the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Agreement in Criminal Matters, which aims to enhance cross-border cooperation in criminal investigations, evidence sharing, and law enforcement.
- Both sides also agreed to expedite the revision of their outdated 1953 Extradition Treaty to address legal and administrative hurdles in extraditing fugitives.
Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA)
- About: A bilateral/multilateral treaty, enables faster, structured cooperation to counter transnational crimes like terrorism, trafficking, smuggling, cybercrime, and financial frauds.
- Legal Framework: Legally binding for MLAT countries, ensuring reciprocity; discretionary for non-MLAT countries.
- Until recently, Nepal was the only neighbouring country (except Bhutan) without an MLA pact with India, often inadvertently making it a haven for criminals.
- Central Authority (India): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); supported by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) when routed via diplomatic channels.
- Key MLAT Partners: India has signed MLA treaties with 42 countries (November 2019) including USA (2005), UK (1995), France (2005).
| Read More: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty: India- Poland |
