Thursday, March 24 2005 16:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (March 24, 2005) gave its approval for India's Extradition Treaty with Oman and Bulgaria and authorised their ratification.

The ex-facto approval was granted to the Treaty between India and Oman signed on December 26 last year at Muscat during the visit of External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh to that country.

It also applies to the accord inked between India and Bulgaria on October 23 last year at Sofia by Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran during the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam, an official spokesman said.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to signing and ratification of Extradition Treaty between India and Kazakhstan, he said.

The treaty will provide a legal framework for extradition of terrorists and other criminals from and to these countries.

The Cabinet also gave its go ahead for signing an agreement between India and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement of both parties in investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matter, the spokesman said.

India has similar treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters with 19 countries.