India and France have signed an extradition treaty aimed at boosting cooperation in the struggle against international terrorism.
The signing came during talks in Paris Friday between visiting Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani and French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
At a news conference after the signing, Mr. Advani said India and France have broadly similar approaches on the issue of terrorism.
Under French law, suspects cannot be extradited to another country if they run the risk of being executed. Mr. Advani said India is prepared to offer case-by-case guarantees that the death penalty would not be invoked, in order to secure extraditions.
In answer to questions, Mr. Advani said he did not raise the issue of French arms sales to Pakistan. However, the Indian official said he believes the international community should not give support to countries that sponsor and finance terrorism - an apparent reference to Pakistan.
Mr. Advani also met with French Defense Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie.