India-Italy to work against terror & crime under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

India and Italy are on the verge of signing a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) that would help the two countries obtain formal assistance in investigation related to criminal cases. The agreement will legalise cooperation in investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime, including trans-national organised criminals and terrorism. Both countries have held two rounds of talks already where agreed minutes have been signed, paving the way for its finalisation soon. An MLAT is an agreement whereby two or more countries assist one another in the pursuit of gathering and exchanging information to enforce public or criminal laws. While India has so far signed MLAT with 44 countries, India and Italy do not have a bilateral agreement on criminal matters so far.