New Delhi, Feb 18: India and Nepal on Wednesday signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (MLAA) on criminal matters to formalise cooperation on the collection and exchange of evidence during investigations, prosecutions and judicial proceedings, officials said.
Signatures and official presence
The agreement was signed by Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and Binod Kumar Bhattarai, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Nepal, according to an official release.
The pact follows a cabinet decision taken on 16 October 2025, which was attended by Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in Nepal, the release said. The signing ceremony on Wednesday was attended by Nepal’s Ministry Secretary Parashwor Dhungana and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Scope and objectives
According to the release, the agreement will provide a formal legal framework for cooperation between the central authorities of both countries in criminal matters. It is expected to cover:
- Collection and exchange of evidence during investigations and prosecutions;
- Assistance in judicial proceedings, including transmission of documents and evidence;
- Enhanced institutional coordination between law-enforcement and judicial authorities of both countries.
Officials said the pact is intended to strengthen efforts to uphold the rule of law and make judicial administration more result-oriented. It is also expected to assist in mutual assessments and cooperation related to the prevention of money-laundering and terrorist financing.
Expected consequences for cross-border crime handling
By establishing a formal mechanism for mutual legal assistance, the agreement aims to reduce procedural and legal hurdles that can delay or obstruct cross-border investigations. The release noted that the pact would help law-enforcement agencies and prosecutorial authorities on both sides to obtain admissible evidence and legal cooperation in a more timely manner.
Officials described the agreement as a milestone that would make investigations and prosecutions in cases with cross-border elements — including financial crimes and terrorism-related offences — more effective, thereby strengthening institutional coordination.
Implementation and next steps
The release did not specify an exact date for the agreement to enter into force or the procedures for operationalising requests under the pact. Typically, the implementation of mutual legal assistance agreements requires domestic administrative arrangements and designation of central authorities responsible for receiving and processing requests. The release said collaboration between the central authorities of both countries will become "even stronger and more results-oriented" with implementation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Signatories | Naveen Srivastava (India), Binod Kumar Bhattarai (Nepal) |
| Cabinet decision | 16 October 2025 (presence of Anil Kumar Sinha) |
| Attendees | Parashwor Dhungana, MFA representatives (Nepal) |
The signing follows a pattern of increasing legal and security cooperation between India and Nepal. Observers of bilateral law-enforcement engagement say formal instruments such as MLAA can close gaps in evidence-sharing and legal assistance that often complicate transnational investigations.
While the release highlighted expected gains in tackling fiduciary crime, money-laundering and terrorist financing, detailed operational protocols and timelines for action under the agreement remain to be disclosed by the respective central authorities.
Implementation will be key to determining how effectively the machinery can process urgent requests, preserve chain of custody for evidence and ensure compatibility with domestic legal standards in both countries.
