nhappy over the Australian government’s handling of the Mohammed Haneef case despite conveying concerns since Monday, India may not be in a hurry to extend the assistance Canberra is seeking in its probe into the Bangalore doctor’s alleged links with the accused persons in the failed UK terror plots.
Until last weekend, Indian authorities had furnished some details regarding Haneef’s bank transaction records in India, though Australian authorities had not approached their Indian counterparts through the “proper channel.”
But last Monday’s development in Brisbane might have changed the Indian attitude. That day, Haneef’s detention was continued under Australian immigration laws soon after a Brisbane magistrate granted him bail for want of evidence regarding his involvement in the failed terror plots.
On Thursday, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee called his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer. During their telephonic conversation, Mr Mukherjee made it known to Mr Downer that India and Australia did not have a mutual legal assistance treaty at present.
Though, according to a statement issued by MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna, the two ministers agreed to conclude a mutual legal assistance treaty, the absence of one at present could dictate Delhi’s attitude towards a formal request received from the Australian government, seeking assistance in their probe against Haneef.
The request is currently being examined by the Union home ministry.
Besides this, Mr Mukherjee used the conversation to once again convey India’s reservations about the way Haneef has been treated since last Monday and again urged that he should be treated fairly and justly as per Australian law. On his part, Mr Downing defended his government’s action.
Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy mounted a strong defence of his government. In an interview to a TV channel, Mr McCarthy asserted that his country’s legal system was tough and  also said that there was “not a hint of racism” in the way the Haneef was treated.