The meet saw firming up the SAARC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters after hard negotiations in the wake of resistance by Pakistan to the extradition clause.
The convention will provide a legal framework for greater cooperation amongst security forces of member countries to track, arrest and handover of criminals and terrorists on request from any member country.
Appreciating the convention, the leaders noted that the mechanism would provide for the "widest measures of mutual assistance in criminal matters to ensure greater sense of security within the region."
The summit emphasised the need for early ratification and implementation of the convention by the member countries.
Image: Prime Minister Manmohon Singh greeted by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sri lankan Parliament during the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo on Saturday. Also in the picture, Speaker of the Sri lankan Parliament W J M Lokkubandara (Centre)
Also see: Security blanket over Colombo for SAARC summit
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