Pak does not cooperate in handing over Dawood, says Krishna

New Delhi, July 30 (PTI) India has been asking Pakistan
to hand over 42 fugitives including Dawood Ibrahim but
Islamabad has refused to cooperate, External Affairs Minister
S M Krishna told Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian
Parliament) Thursday.

Replying to questions, he said a list of 42 fugitives
both Indian and Pakistani nationals, including ones involved
in the 1993 Mumbai series bomb blasts and the 26/11 terror
attacks in Mumbai, has been given to Islamabad.

Krishna said whatever evidence and dossier is given,
Pakistan's refrain is that it is not enough and cannot be
proven in court of law.

He said Pakistan has denied presence of dreaded criminals
like Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon, Chota Shakeel and Lakhbir
Singh who are among the Indian nationals in the list.

"For Pakistani nationals, Pakistan has pointed to lack of
extradition treaty and lack of evidence," he said. "We have
made 11 futile attempts with Pakistan to conclude an
extradition treaty," he said.

Pakistan has not responded "positively to our proposals
to conclude an extradition treaty," he said.

"We have been impressing upon Pakistan that it is in the
interest of both countries that we enter into a treaty of
extradition," Krishna said. "Government is endeavouring to
persuade Pakistan to develop a cooperative relationship with
India."

Krishna said India will continue to improve relations
with Pakistan despite Islamabad's reluctance.

"In spite of Pakistan's reluctance to help us to improve
our relations, India's endeavour will be to continue to
impress upon Pakistan that we have to have good neighbourly
relations," he said.

"Our hope is that Pakistan will see sense in such kind of
approach," he added. PTI