Date:22/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/22/stories/2003012206200100.htm

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India for extradition treaty with Qatar

By Anjali Mody

DOHA (QATAR) JAN. 21. The Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, had the first of a series of bilateral meetings in Qatar with the Foreign Minister and a key political player in this natural gas rich Gulf country, Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani, today. Issues ranging from the threat of terrorism to the concerns of the large Indian population in Qatar were discussed.

According to Indian officials, both sides agreed that their relations posed no problems and that "the way ahead was to build on the co-operative relationship which exists at present.'' But their cautious tone suggested that these were simply talks about talks. En route to Qatar on Monday, Mr. Advani said that India was interested in putting in place "institutional arrangements" such as an extradition treaty to deal with issues such as terrorism. And, in the meeting with the Qatar Foreign Minister, it was agreed that the pending issues of an extradition treaty, a mutual legal assistance treaty and a joint working group on counter-terrorism "would be finalised quickly... if necessary, after further discussions between officials."

Indian officials said that draft extradition treaties had been exchanged more than two years ago, but had not been pursued. Now, there was agreement that whatever needed to be done at the official level "needs to be done quickly." Mr. Advani also raised the issue of the universal threat of terrorism and the need for countries "to act in a concerted manner'' to deal with the problem. He briefed the Qatari Minister about Pakistan's continuing support to cross-border terrorism. Indian diplomats have, from time to time, suggested that Qatar's presidency of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and its positive attitude towards India could be translated into pressure on Pakistan from within the Islamic world. However, in the meeting with Mr. Advani, while accepting that there were serious problems between India and Pakistan, the Qatari Minister took the view that it had independent relations with both the countries and that "its relations with Pakistan did not impinge on its relations with India.''

The security scenario in the Gulf region, especially pertaining to Iraq, was also discussed. Qatar has two U.S. military bases, with 3,000 troops, and is expected to be the nerve-centre of any U.S.-led war against Iraq. Mr Advani, according to officials, expressed the hope that no unilateral action would be taken and that whatever was done would be with the mandate of the United Nations. Qatar, while agreeing with this sentiment, is reported to have said that "events were moving in a way that it was difficult to say what could happen.''

Earlier today, Mr. Advani was the ``guest of honour'' at an inauguration of a chemical plant by the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The appointment, made at the eleventh hour and requiring Mr. Advani to arrive here a night in advance of his original travel plan, found the Indian Embassy officials stretching the limits of diplomatese to explain its significance.

The Q-Chem plant is a joint venture between the Qatar Government and the U.S. chemicals major, Chevron Phillip. Indian Embassy officials insisted that once the plant went into production, Qatar would "naturally" look to India as an export market.