U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1

99–118

" SENATE ! 107TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

TREATY DOC. 

2002

107–3

TREATY WITH INDIA ON MUTUAL LEGAL 

ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS

MESSAGE

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

TREATY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 

INDIA ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS, 

SIGNED AT NEW DELHI ON OCTOBER 17, 2001

APRIL 8, 2002.—Treaty was read the first time, and together with the 

accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate 


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(III)

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 

THE WHITE HOUSE, April 8, 2002. 

To the Senate of the United States: 

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 

ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the 

Republic of India on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, 

signed at New Delhi on October 17, 2001. I transmit also, for the 

information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State 

with respect to the Treaty. 

The Treaty is one of a series of modern mutual legal assistance 

treaties that the United States has concluded or is negotiating in 

order to counter criminal activities more effectively. The Treaty 

should be an effective tool to assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of modern crimes, including terrorism-related crimes, drug trafficking, and ‘‘white collar’’ crimes. The Treaty is self-executing. 

The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 

matters and related proceedings. Mutual assistance available 

under the Treaty includes: (1) Taking the testimony or statements 

of persons; (2) providing documents, records, and items of evidence; 

(3) locating or identifying persons or items; (4) serving documents; 

(5) transferring persons in custody for testimony or other purposes; 

(6) executing requests for searches and seizures; (7) assisting in 

proceedings relating to seizure and forfeiture of assets, restitution, 

and collection of fines; and (8) rendering any other form of assistance not prohibited by the laws of the Requested State. 

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

GEORGE W. BUSH.

(V)

LETTER OF SUBMITTAL 

THE SECRETARY OF STATE, Washington, January 9, 2002. 

THE PRESIDENT: I have the honor to submit to you the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of the Republic of India on Mutual Legal Assistance 

in Criminal Matters (the ‘‘Treaty’’), signed at New Delhi on October 

17, 2001. I recommend that the Treaty be transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification. 

The Treaty covers mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. 

During 2001, similar bilateral treaties entered into force with 

France, Egypt, Romania, Greece, South Africa, Ukraine, Brazil, 

and Luxembourg. This Treaty contains many provisions similar to 

those in these other treaties and all of the essential provisions 

sought by the United States. It will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute a variety of offenses, including organized 

crime, terrorism-related crime, drug trafficking, economic crimes, 

money laundering, and other forms of white collar crime of particular interest to the law enforcement community. The Treaty is 

designed to be self-executing and will not require implementing 

legislation. 

Article 1 sets out the scope of assistance available under the 

Treaty. Article 1(2) contains a non-exhaustive list of the major 

types of assistance to be provided under the Treaty, including: taking the testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, 

records, and items of evidence; locating or identifying persons or 

items; serving documents; transferring persons in custody for testimony or other purposes; executing requests for searches and seizures; assisting in proceedings related to seizure and forfeiture of 

assets, restitution, and collection of fines; and any other form of assistance not prohibited by the laws of the Requested State. The 

scope of the Treaty includes the obligation to provide assistance not 

only with respect to the investigation, prosecution, and prevention 

of criminal offenses, but also with respect to proceedings related to 

criminal matters, which may be civil or administrative in nature. 

Article 1(3) states that assistance must be provided without regard 

to whether the conduct that is the underlying subject to the investigation, prosecution, or proceeding in the Requesting State would 

constitute an offense in the Requested State. Article 1(4) makes 

clear that the Treaty is not designed to be utilized by non-governmental parties or institutions who seek evidence for use in private 

matters. Similarly, the Treaty is not intended to create any right 

on the part of a private person to obtain, suppress, or exclude evidence, or to impede the execution of a request. 

VI

Article 2 provides for the establishment of Central Authorities 

and defines the Central Authorities for purposes of the Treaty. For 

the United States, the Central Authority is the Attorney General 

or a person designated by the Attorney General. For India, the 

Central Authority is the Ministry of Home Affairs or a person designated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The article also provides 

that the Central Authorities shall communicate directly with one 

another for the purposes of the Treaty. 

Article 3 sets forth the circumstances under which the Requested 

State’s Central Authority may deny assistance under the Treaty. A 

request may be denied if it relates to the military offense that 

would not be a crime under ordinary criminal law, or if its execution would prejudice the security or similar essential interests of 

the Requested State. In addition, a request may be denied if the 

request relates to a political offense (a term expected to be defined 

on the basis of the term’s usage in extradition treaties) or is not 

made in conformity with the Treaty. As a number of mutual legal 

assistance treaties have done recently, Article 3 enumerates several serious offenses that will not be considered political offenses, 

including those proscribed in the three UN narcotics conventions 

and most of the offenses proscribed by the UN counter-terrorism 

conventions to which the United States is a party. 

Before denying assistance under Article 3, the Central Authority 

of the Requested State is required to consult with its counterpart 

in the Requesting State to consider whether assistance can be 

given subject to such conditions as the Central Authority of the Requested State deems necessary. If the Requesting State accepts assistance subject to conditions, it must comply with them. If the 

Central Authority of the Requested State denies assistance, it must 

inform the Central Authority of the Requesting State of the reasons for the denial. 

Article 4 prescribes the form and content of written requests 

under the Treaty, specifying in detail the information required to 

be provided to the Requested State in each case. The article permits requests to be made in other forms in urgent situations, but 

requires written confirmation of the request within ten days unless 

the Central Authority of the Requested State agrees otherwise. The 

article specifies further information to be provided, to the extent 

necessary and possible, to assist in locating individuals and items 

and effecting particular types of assistance. Unless otherwise 

agreed, all requests must be in English.

Article 5 concerns the execution of request. Article 5(1) requires 

the Central Authority of the Requested State to execute promptly 

a request, or to transmit it to the authority with jurisdiction to do 

so. The competent authorities of the Requested State have authority to issue subpoenas, search warrants, or other orders necessary 

to execute the request. Under article 5(2), the Central Authority of 

the Requested State must make all necessary arrangements for the 

representation in the Requested State of the Requesting State in 

any proceedings arising out of a request. 

Under Article 5(3), requests are to be executed in accordance 

with the laws of the Requested State unless the Treaty provides 

otherwise. However, the method of execution specified in the request shall be followed except insofar as it is prohibited by the laws 

VII

of the Requested State. Pursuant to Article 5(4), the Requested 

State cannot decline execution of a request on the ground of bank 

secrecy. 

If the Central Authority of the Requested State determines that 

execution of the request would interfere with an ongoing criminal 

investigation, prosecution, or proceeding, Article 5(5) authorizes it 

to postpone execution, or after consultations with the Requesting 

State, impose conditions on such execution. If the Requesting State 

accepts assistance subject to such conditions, it must comply with 

them. 

Article 5 further requires the Requested State to use its best effort to keep confidential a request and its contents, if so requested, 

and to inform the Requesting State if the request cannot be executed without breaching confidentiality. The Requested State must 

also inform the Requesting State of the outcome of the request’s 

execution and provide explanations for any denial, delay, or postponement. 

Article 6 appropriations between the two States the costs incurred in executing a request. It Provides that the Requested State 

must pay all costs, including the costs of representation, except for 

the fees of expert witnesses, translation costs, and travel expenses, 

which are the responsibility of the Requesting State, at the Requested State’s request, not to use any information or evidence obtained under the Treaty for purposes unrelated to the investigation, prosecution, or proceedings described in the request without 

the prior consent of the Requested State. If the Requested State requests that information or evidence furnished be kept confidential, 

or be used subject to terms and conditions, the Requesting State 

is required to use its best efforts to comply with the conditions 

specified. However, the Article states that nothing in Article 7 precludes the use or disclosure of information or evidence that is exculpatory to a defendant in a criminal prosecution. The Requested 

State must be notified in advance of any such use or disclosure. 

Once information is made public in the Requesting State in accordance with the Treaty, no further limitations on use apply. 

Article 8 provides that the Requested State must compel, if necessary, the taking of testimony or production of documents or other 

evidence in its territory on behalf of the Requesting State. The article requires the Requested State, upon request, to inform the Requesting State in advance of the date and place of the taking of testimony or evidence. 

Article 8(3) requires the Requested State to permit the presence 

of any persons specified in the request (such as the accused, counsel for the accused, or other interested persons) and to permit such 

persons to pose questions to be asked of the person whose testimony or evidence is being taken. In the event that a person whose 

testimony or evidence is being taken asserts a claim of immunity, 

incapacity, or privilege under the laws of the Requesting State, Article 8(4) provides that the testimony or evidence is still to be taken 

and the claim made known to the Requesting State for resolution 

by its authorities. 

Finally, Article 8(5) states that evidence produced pursuant to 

this article or that has been the subject of testimony under this article shall be transmitted in a form or with a certification requested 

VIII

by the Requesting State in order to make it admissible in the Requesting State. The Treaty includes two forms that may be used 

when the United States is the Requesting Party in this scenario. 

Article 8(5) states that both the documents provided and the forms 

will be admissible in evidence in the United States. Form A is for 

certification of business records and Form B is for certification of 

the absence or nonexistence of business records. 

Article 9 requires that the Requested State provide the Requesting State with copies of publicly available records or information of 

government departments and agencies. Under Article 9(2), the Requested State may further provide copies of other records or information in the possession of a government department or agency 

but not publicly available, to the same extent and under the same 

conditions as it would to its own law enforcement or judicial authorities. Upon request, records produced pursuant to this article 

must be authenticated by the official of the Requested State who 

is responsible for maintaining them, and then transmitted in a 

form or with a certification requested by the Requesting State in 

order to make them admissible in the Requesting State. The Treaty 

includes two additional forms that may be used when the United 

States is the Requesting State in this scenario. Article 9(3) states 

that both the document provided and each form will be admissible 

in evidence in the United States. Form C is for attesting to the authenticity of official government records and Form D is for certification of the absence or nonexistence of official government records.

Article 10 provides a mechanism for the Requesting State to invite the voluntary appearance and testimony of a person located in 

the Requested State and to indicate the extent to which expenses 

will be paid. The Central Authority of the Requested State is required to invite the person to appear and to promptly inform the 

Central Authority of the Requesting State of the person’s response. 

Under Article 10(2), the person appearing in the Requesting State 

is protected from service of process, detention, or restriction of personal liberty, by reason of any acts or convictions preceding that 

person’s departure from the Requested State. As Article 10(3) details, such ‘‘safe conduct’’ ceases ten days after the Central Authority of the Requesting State gives notice to the Central Authority of 

the Requested State that the person’s presence is no longer required, or if the person voluntarily returns to the Requesting State 

after leaving it. The Requesting State may extend this period for 

up to twenty days. 

Article 11 provides for the voluntary transfer to the territory of 

one State of a person in custody in the other State for purposes of 

assistance under the Treaty, provided that the person in question 

and both Central Authorities agree. The article establishes the express authority and the obligation of the receiving State to maintain the person transferred in custody unless otherwise authorized 

by the sending State. It further obligates the receiving State to return the person to the sending State as soon as circumstances permit or as otherwise agreed by the Central Authorities, without the 

need for extradition proceedings. The person transferred will receive credit for the service of the sentence imposed in the sending 

State for time served in the custody of the receiving State. 

IX

Article 12 provides that the Requested State may authorize transit through its territory of a person held in custody by the Requesting State or a third State, when that person’s appearance was requested by the Requesting State in an investigation, prosecution, 

or proceeding. The Requested State must keep the person in custody during transit. 

Article 13 requires the Requested State to use its best efforts to 

ascertain the location or identity of persons or items specified in a 

request. 

Article 14 requires the Requested State to use its best efforts to 

effect service of any documents relating, in whole or in part, to a 

request under the Treaty. The article further requires that the Requesting State transmit any request for the service of a document 

requiring a person to appear before an authority in the Requesting 

State within a reasonable time before the scheduled appearance. 

The Requested State is required to return proof of service in the 

manner specified in the request. 

Article 15 obligates the Requested State to execute requests for 

search, seizure, and delivery of any item to the Requesting State 

if the request includes the information justifying such action under 

the laws of the Requested State. The article further provides for 

the certification of the identity of the item, continuity of custody, 

and any changes in its condition. When the United States is the 

Requesting Party, the only certification required is the completion 

of Form E, found at the end of the Treaty, which form will be admissible in evidence in the United States. In addition, Article 15 

provides that the Central Authority of the Requested State may 

impose conditions on the transfer of the seized items to protect 

third-party interests in the items being transferred. 

Article 16 obliges the Central Authority of the Requesting State 

to return to the Requested State any documents, records, or other 

items furnished under the Treaty, if the Central Authority of the 

Requested State requires their return. 

Article 17 provides that, if the Central Authority of one State becomes aware of proceeds or instrumentalities of crimes that are located in the territory of the other State and that may be forfeitable 

or otherwise subject to seizure under the laws of that other State, 

it may so inform the other State. If the State receiving such information has jurisdiction in this regard, it may present this information to its authorities for a determination whether any action is appropriate. The Central Authority of the State receiving such information is required to inform the Central Authority of the State 

that provided the information of any action taken. Article 17 also 

obligates the States to assist one another to the extent permitted 

by their respective laws in proceedings involving the forfeiture of 

the proceeds and instrumentalities of offenses, restitution to the 

victims of crime, and collection of fines imposed as criminal sentences. The State having custody over proceeds or instrumentalities 

of offenses must dispose of them in accordance with its laws. Either 

State may transfer to the other State all or part of such assets, or 

the proceeds of their sale, to the extent permitted under the transferring State’s laws and upon such terms as it deems appropriate. 

Article 18 states that assistance and procedures provided in the 

Treaty will not prevent the granting of assistance under any other 

X

applicable international agreements. The article also states that 

the Treaty shall not prevent the granting of assistance available 

under the national laws of either State, or pursuant to any bilateral arrangement, agreement, or practice that may be applicable.

Article 19 provides that the Central Authorities of the two States 

must consult, at time mutually agreed upon, concerning the most 

effective means to implement the provisions of the Treaty. 

Article 20 provides that the Treaty is subject to ratification and 

shall enter into force upon exchange of instruments of ratification. 

The article also provides that the Treaty will apply to any request 

presented after its entry force, even if the relevant acts or omissions occurred prior to the date the Treaty entered into force. In 

addition, Article 20 further provides that either State may terminate the Treaty by written notice to the other State, such termination to take effect six months following the date of notification. 

A Technical Analysis explaining in detail the provisions of the 

Treaty is being prepared by the United States negotiating delegation, consisting of representatives from the Departments of Justice 

and State, and will be transmitted separately to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. 

The Department of Justice joins the Department of State in recommending approval of this Treaty by the Senate as soon as possible. 

Respectfully submitted,

COLIN L. POWELL. 

(1)


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