India, Hong Kong ink crime probe and prosecution pact

India today signed the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement on criminal matters with Hong Kong to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies of both sides in investigation and prosecution of crimes.

The agreement was signed here by the Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran, and Ambrose Lee, secretary for security on behalf of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in People's Republic of China.

"The agreement aims at improving effectiveness of law enforcement of the Contracting Parties in investigation and prosecution of crime and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime," a ministry spokesperson said. The official said that with the signing of the agreement on criminal matters, cooperation in judicial matters will be comprehensive.

The agreement will come into force a month after both sides notify each other that their respective requirements for the pact have been complied with, the spokesperson said. Before the signing ceremony, the Hong Kong delegation met Union Home Secretary GK Pillai and held fruitful discussions on issues of mutual interest, the official said.