India, Bangladesh ratify extradition treaty

India and Bangladesh have ratified the extradition treaty which would allow both the countries to swap the convicts, government sources said Wednesday. The treaty came into force after Bangladesh Home Secretary C.Q.K. Mostak Ahmed and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran signed the documents of the much-awaited pact in Dhaka, sources said "With the signature of the ratification instruments and the exchange, we are now in a position to bring the treaty into effect," Indian High Commisioner Pankaj Saran said on the occasion. He further said the treaty would go a long way to strengthen the security of the two countries. Bangladesh Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, who signed the treaty with his Indian counterpart Sushulkumar Shinde on January 28 this year attended the extradition treaty signing ceremony, they added The extradition treaty will allow the two countries to swap the convicts or under-trials when it is required, sources informed. However, they noted that the treaty was applicable to convicts lodged in jails for more than a year in prison, adding, it was not applicable to the political prisoners and asylum seekers. Both sides have the option to cancel the treaty in six-month notice, sources said