India, Belgium ink pact for legal aid in criminal probes

India and Belgium have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty allowing Belgian authorities to execute search warrants issued by Indian courts and summon suspects. The move is expected to aid investigations into fugitives including Neeshal Modi, brother of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud mastermind, Nirav Modi. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating Modi’s role in the PNB scam. Indian agencies will also be able to summon individuals hiding in Belgium, including several Khalistani supporters suspected of doing so by security agencies.