Ansari to visit Indonesia, Brunei

Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari will pay a four-day visit to Indonesia from November 1 during which there will be exchange of letters on an extradition treaty.

He will also pay a visit to Brunei.

Briefing reporters here, Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa said that the vice president will be in Indonesia from November 1 to 4 during which he will meet his Indonesian counterpart Yusuf Kalla and also call on President Joko Widodo.

He will also give a public lecture and visit the Indonesian parliament. Indonesia has emerged as the second largest partner of India in the ASEAN region.

Ansari will unveil bust of Mahatma Gandhi during the visit.

Answering queries, Wadhwa said that India and Indonesia have to exchange letters concerning ratification of extradition treaty.

"The letters of exchange will happen during the visit," he said.

The exchange of document will take place days after arrest of absconding mafia don Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan, a trusted-aide-turned-bitter-foe of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, in the Indonesian resort of Bali.

Wadhwa, however, said that a treaty was not always required for extradition of a wanted person and there were other ways in which he can be sent.

Asked if the issue could figure during the visit, he said "not specifically unless required".

"Issues are on track, ministries are in touch with each other," he said.

Wadhwa said that Ansari's visit to Brunei was the highest-level bilateral visit from India since establishment of diplomatic relations.

During his visit to Brunei, which will be from November 4 to 6, the vice-president will meet Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah and also call on the Sultan.