S Arabian legislature approves extradition treaty with India

S Arabian legislature approves extradition treaty with India

Saudi Arabia's legislative body, the Shura Council, has approved the draft agreements of an extradition treaty and a prisoner exchange deal with India inked during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Riyadh early this year.

"The two draft agreements were approved following detailed discussions by the members," the council said in a statement.

The agreements, the council agreed, should be executed for better security and stability of the two countries.

"This would help the two friendly countries not only strengthen bilateral relations but also serve the interests of the citizens of the respective countries who are living in each other's states," he said.

During Singh's visit to the Kingdom in March this year, five bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty and the agreement on transfer of prisoners, were signed.

The extradition treaty is part of efforts to step up bilateral cooperation in the area of security and will help in apprehending wanted persons in each other's country.

It will be in line with the standard format followed across the world and will be governed by international law, an official said.

The agreement on prisoners will facilitate the transfer of Indian prisoners back to India where they will be able to serve the remaining part of their sentences given by a Saudi court.