India-Maldives to sign pact for cooperation on terror

India and Maldives will soon sign an agreement for cooperation on terrorism, transnational crime and criminal matters.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal matters between India and the Maldives.
The treaty aims to enhance effectiveness of both the countries in investigation and prosecution of crime, through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, an official release said.
In the context of transnational crime and its linkages to terrorism, the proposed treaty will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation with Maldives in investigation and prosecution of crime as well as in tracing, restraint and confiscation of proceeds, and instruments of crime as well as funds meant to finance terrorist acts.

An MLAT is an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public laws or criminal laws.
Mechanisms have been developed among nations for requesting and obtaining evidence for criminal investigations and prosecutions.
When evidence or other forms of legal assistance, such as witness statements or the service of documents, are needed from a foreign sovereign, states may attempt to cooperate informally through their respective police agencies or, alternatively, resort to what is typically referred to as requests for 'mutual legal assistance'.