India takes up extradition issue of rogue jeweller Mehul Choksi with Antigua again

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India’s High Commissioner KJ Srinivasa has paid an official visit to Antigua and Barbuda and held a meeting with PM Gaston Browne in which the matter of extraditing fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi was discussed, according to a report in the Caribbean island’s WIC News.</p>
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PM Browne informed the high commissioner, who is based in Guyana and accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, that the position of his government was that the matter was before the courts and that the Government wanted extradition to take place as quickly as possible.</p>
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Choksi enjoys full legal protection in Antigua as a citizen.  The rogue had fled India in 2018 after cheating the Punjab National Bank of Rs 14,000 crore and has obtained citizenship in the Caribbean island by investing money in the country.</p>
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India has informed Antigua that Mehul Choksi should be treated as a fugitive Indian citizen and the Interpol Red Corner notice for him has been issued on the basis of a request from New Delhi. </p>
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However, Antigua insists that the court process in the case has to reach its logical conclusion before Choksi can be deported.</p>
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High Commissioner Srinivasa also outlined to PM Browne some of the India’s collaborative initiatives available to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, including a loan of US$20 million on generous terms devoted to energy projects.</p>
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He also sought the support of Antigua and Barbuda at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a proposal put forward by India and South Africa which seeks to obtain a waiver on vaccine patents. PM Browne assured the ambassador that his government was in support of this initiative, WIC News said.</p>
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The Indian High Commissioner reminded PM Browne of the short-term IT scholarships available to students in Antigua and Barbuda, as well as other academic initiatives based on cooperation between India and the UWI Five Islands campus that his mission was working on with the UWI authorities.</p>
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Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/choksi-case-takes-new-turn-as-antigua-police-starts-probe-into-abduction-charge-93492.html">Choksi case takes new turn as Antigua police starts probe into abduction charge</a></p>