India,Thailand signed Extradition Treaty nearly after Two Decades of Negotiations

India and Thailand on 30 May 2013 signed a treaty for the extradition of runaways wanted for terrorism, transnational crimes, economic offences and other serious crimes which will shortly eliminate a safe refuge for criminals wanted in India and Thailand.

The extradition treaty between India and Thailand was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first bilateral visit to Thailand.

With the signing of extradition treaty, India is supposed to put forward its requests to Thailand for the extradition of criminals like fugitive Syed Musakir Mudassar Hussain alias Munna Zingada who is wanted in India for underworld activities. Actually Munna Zingada is presently in a Thai prison for his involvement in the attack on underworld don Chhota Rajan here in 2001.

Highlights of the Extradition Treaty
• The Treaty provides the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders, including those involved in terrorism, transnational crimes, economic offences etc.
• Treaty provides for the extradition of any person who is wanted for trial or for the imposition or enforcement of a sentence by one Contracting State and is found in the territory of the other Contracting State.
• The treaty will help both the countries in expedited extradition of fugitives. This Treaty would further strengthen the relationship between two law enforcement agencies by providing a firm legal basis for their bilateral cooperation.

The extradition treaty concluded after two decades of negotiations, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in anti-money laundering, gives a major signal of India’s shared commitment in combating terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and counterfeiting.