Revision as of 21:11, 13 June 2021

Extradition requests

Munna Zingada case in India’s favour

Bharti Jain, Zingada extradition to help India prove Dawood’s presence in Pakistan, August 9, 2018: The Times of India

The extradition of senior D-Company operative and Chhota Shakeel aide Munna Zingada, who served 16 years in a Thai jail for an attempt to assassinate Chhota Rajan, is expected to help India establish his boss Dawood Ibrahim’s presence in Pakistan. This, an intelligence source pointed out, is precisely the reason why Islamabad left no stone unturned to secure his deportation by anyhow proving him to be a Pakistani national.

Of course, the counter-evidence submitted to the Thai court by India — fingerprints, DNA samples of his family members in India, collegeleaving certificate and copies of FIR registered against him in Mumbai for crimes including murder — punctured Pakistan’s claim and led the court to rule Zingada to be an Indian national. Munna Jhingra, whose real name is Sayyed Muzakkir Muddassar Hussain, is a native of Sayyed Muddassar Chawl near Toofani Kirana Stores, Prem Nagar, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai. His father Muddassar Hussain had deep links with the 1993 blasts in Mumbai, according to Indian agencies.

Pakistan had earlier used forged documents to secure extradition of Myanmarese drug peddler and Zingada’s close aide Ibrahim Koko. Though he was extradited to Pakistan in 2015, the local Pakistani court during the trial ruled he was travelling on fake Pakistani documents and ordered his deportation back to Thailand.

According to intelligence sources, Zingada had been under the patronage of Pakistan’s ISI for being a trusted leader of D-Company. It was ISI that prepared his Pakistani passport in the fake name of Mohammed Saleem to facilitate his visit to Thailand for executing the assassination of Chhota Rajan. Even after he reached Thailand for the assigned task, his protection was taken care of by the embassy of Pakistan, an intelligence officer told TOI.

YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS

2019

Decision to boost defence co-op

Nov 3, 2019: The Times of India

Key Highlights

PM Modi had a conversation with Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on stepping up the bilateral cooperation through connectivity, trade & investment, defence and security, among other areas

The two leaders welcomed the growing air connectivity between the two countries and start of a direct flight between Bangkok and Guwahati, said MEA

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the defence industries sector and explore possibility of boosting trade ties during their talks on the sidelines of the Asean Summit.

Both the leaders also discussed ways to enhance connectivity between the two countries, including in the areas of physical and digital spheres, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister's office said both leaders held extensive deliberations on accelerating the friendship between India and Thailand.

Modi arrived here on a three-day visit to attend the Asean-India, the East Asia and the RCEP summits.

The MEA said Modi and Chan-o-cha reviewed the progress made in bilateral relationship and noted that frequent high level meetings and exchanges at all levels have created positive momentum in the relationship.

"Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in defence industries sector. Welcoming 20 per cent growth in bilateral trade last year, leaders decided to task the trade officials to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment," the MEA said.

It said the two leaders welcomed the growing air connectivity between the two countries and start of a direct flight between Bangkok and Guwahati and also finalisation of agreements for cooperation between Ranong Port in Thailand and Indian ports in Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam.

Modi and Chan-o-cha also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

"India and Thailand are close maritime neighbours having historical and cultural linkages. In the contemporary context, India's 'Act East' policy is complimented by Thailand's 'Look West' policy which has made the relationship deep, robust and multifaceted," the MEA said.

Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.