NEW DELHI - Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna on Thursday said that India would continue its determined efforts to conclude an extradition treaty with Pakistan, despite the latter’s unwillingness.

“We have tried repeatedly to conclude an extradition treaty with Pakistan, but unfortunately all our attempts have become very futile. Pakistan is not willing to enter into an extradition treaty with India; they advance some reason or the other so that the extradition treaty does not come into operation. But the Indian government will continue its efforts with Pakistan to conclude a treaty of extradition,” Krishna told reporters at the Parliament House.

Earlier in the day, Krishna had told the Rajya Sabha that India has been asking Pakistan to hand over 42 fugitives including Dawood Ibrahim whereas Islamabad has refused to cooperate.

The list of fugitives also includes the names of those wanted for their alleged involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, Krishna said.

Krishna informed the House that Pakistan’s refrain is that, whatever evidences provided in the dossiers is not enough to be proven in court of law.

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

Krishna informed the house that for the extradition of Pakistani nationals, Islamabad has pointed out lack of extradition treaty between both the countries. Krishna added that India has tried eleven times to conclude an extradition treaty with Pakistan, but none of the attempts were fruitful.

“We have been impressing upon Pakistan that it is in the interest of both countries that we enter into a treaty of extradition, and New Delhi is endeavoring to persuade Pakistan to develop a cooperative relationship with India, ” Krishna Said.

Krishna assured members that in spite of Pakistan’s reluctance to improve relations, India’s endeavor would be to continue to impress upon Pakistan to have good neighborly relations. (ANI)