India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters | 04 Aug 2025

Source: TH 

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• Both sides also agreed to expedite the revision of their outdated 1953 Extradition Treaty to address legal and administrative hurdles in extraditing fugitives.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).