India, Mexico join hands against terror

Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa is in New Delhi on a four-day State visit at the invitation of President Pratibha Patil.

Hinojosa, who arrived on Sunday, held formal talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after which the two sides signed agreements on extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The signing of agreements paves the way for stepped up cooperation in the fight against global terror.

The extradition treaty is aimed at suppressing crime by ensuring availability of fugitive criminals for trial while the mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters will enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of crime, including those related to terrorism.

Hinojosa, who is leading a large official delegation and a business delegation of over 100

members, will also visit Bangalore and Mumbai on Tuesday.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also call on President Calderon.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said relations between the 2 countries were now being 're-energised' and cooperation was being expanded covering areas such as Science and Technology, agriculture, trade, investment, culture, education and small and medium industries.

Image: Mexican President Felipe Calderon with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prior to delegation level talks in New Delhi on Monday.
Reportage: UNI | Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images