New Delhi: India has been asking Pakistan to hand over 42 fugitives including Dawood Ibrahim but Islamabad has refused to cooperate, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told Rajya Sabha Thursday.
Replying to questions, he said a list of 42 fugitives both Indian and Pakistani nationals, including ones involved in the 1993 Mumbai series bomb blasts and the 26/11 terror
attacks in Mumbai, has been given to Islamabad.
Krishna said whatever evidence and dossier is given, Pakistan`s refrain is that it is not enough and cannot be proven in court of law.
He said Pakistan has denied presence of dreaded criminals like Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon, Chota Shakeel and Lakhbir Singh who are among the Indian nationals in the list.
"For Pakistani nationals, Pakistan has pointed to lack of extradition treaty and lack of evidence," he said. "We have made 11 futile attempts with Pakistan to conclude an
extradition treaty," he said.
Pakistan has not responded "positively to our proposals to conclude an extradition treaty," he said.
"We have been impressing upon Pakistan that it is in the interest of both countries that we enter into a treaty of extradition," Krishna said. "Government is endeavouring to
persuade Pakistan to develop a cooperative relationship with India."
Krishna said India will continue to improve relations with Pakistan despite Islamabad`s reluctance.
"In spite of Pakistan`s reluctance to help us to improve our relations, India`s endeavour will be to continue to impress upon Pakistan that we have to have good neighbourly
relations," he said.
"Our hope is that Pakistan will see sense in such kind of approach," he added.
Bureau Report
