Prisoner deal with India is ready

The bilateral agreement will allow Indian convicts in the UAE to to serve out their sentences in Indian prisons such as this one in Hyderabad.

ABU DHABI // Bilateral deals on security, customs and prisoner transfers with India are finalised and awaiting signatures, according to the head of the Indian mission here. M K Lokesh, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, said at least three agreements "are ready", and although the details, such as the formal signing of the agreements, are not yet finalised, the process has been expedited.

"This is in context of overall relations," Mr Lokesh said. He said an agreement allowing Indian prisoners in the UAE to serve out their sentences in Indian prisons would be the first of its kind. It is believed 1,300 Indian prisoners are in UAE jails. Prisoners involved in financial crimes or who have received the death sentence would not, however, be allowed to serve their sentences elsewhere.

The UAE has an agreement in place with the GCC that allows for a similar arrangement. The security agreement has been in the making for some time. Before he left for a posting to Saudi Arabia, Talmiz Ahmad, the previous Indian ambassador to the UAE, said in January that the two countries were making great strides in several matters, and an agreement would enhance security ties with a focus on training, strategy and tactics.

"We will increase our role with regard to providing training options and facilities," he said. @Email:[e-mail]