New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval for the MoUs between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors.
The MoU will facilitate and enhance the cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, as defined by the United Nations international Drug Control Conventions.
Under the MoU, there is a provision for the exchange of relevant information as well as methods, identities and suspicious activities of producers, smugglers and traffickers of narcotic drugs, details of trafficking of NDPS and Precursors Chemicals on requisitions and financial details of the traffickers arrested on drug related charges.
Under the MoU, there is also a provision for notification of the details of the arrested citizen of the other Party for committing the crime of illicit trafficking or smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors and consular access to the arrested person.
The MoU also provides for exchange of chemical reports and analysis of narcotic drug, psychotropic substances and chemical precures seized within the territory of either party and data and information about illegal laboratories of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precures and their technical specifications.
Post Facto Agreement
The Union Cabinet also approved Post Facto, the Agreement was signed by Prime Minister on 29th October, 2019 for establishment of Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia.
The Agreement will enable the leadership at the highest-level in both countries to meet regularly and monitor progress in the ongoing initiatives and projects under the strategic partnership.
It will help identify new areas for forging strategic engagement and will define the goals to be achieved and benefits to be derived.
The aims of an agreement is to benefit the citizens with improved economic and commercial linkages with Saudi Arabia irrespective of any gender, class or income bias.
This Agreement with Saudi Arabia will open new avenues of partnership in strategic areas like defence, security counter-terrorism, energy security and renewable energy.
-sb
