Phl, India to start talks on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines and India agreed today to start negotiations on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT) in December this year.

This was one of the consensus the two countries reached in the Second Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation held in Manila.

"Aware that the rise of transnational crime necessitates increased international judicial cooperation, they agreed to commence negotiations on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT) in December 2013 and consider a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement (TSP)," the joint statement said.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario who co- chaired the meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid vowed to push for the immediate ratification of the Philippine-India Extradition Treaty.

Both ministers who affirmed their condemnation of terrorism also agreed to convene the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in New Delhi in 2014 to discuss all issues related to terrorism and other transnational crimes.

The joint statement also said that both sides also committed to increase exchanges in military training and education.

The Philippine government also welcomed the support of $100,000 provided by the India for disaster relief following the recent devastating earthquake in the Philippines.