Context: Recently, Union Cabinet has approved the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) in Criminal Matters between India and Poland.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)

• It is an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public or criminal laws.
• A mutual legal assistance request is commonly used to formally interrogate a suspect in a criminal case, when the suspect resides in a foreign country.

This assistance may take the form of

• Examining and identifying people, places and things
• Custodial transfers
• Providing assistance with the immobilization of the instruments of criminal activity.

Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
Objective

• To enhance capability and effectiveness of both countries in investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes related to terrorism.

Significance of this treaty

• It will increase effectiveness of India in tackling criminal activities involving Poland. 
• Once in operation, the Treaty will be instrumental in gaining better inputs and insights in the modus operandi of organized criminals and terrorists. 
• These in turn can be used to fine tune policy decisions in the field of internal security.

India and Poland Relations
Agreements
India and Poland have agreement on:

• Protocol on Amending the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes and Income (2013)
• Agreement on Exemption from Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic Passports (2015)
• Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2017)
• Cooperation in the Area of Coal Mining (2019).

Economic & commercial Relations

• Poland is India’s largest trade partner and export destination in the Central European region.
• India’s export to Poland contributed to 0.48% of overall India’s export.
• 0.15% of India’s import was covered by Poland in 2019.

Investment

• Indian investments in Poland are valued at over US$3 billion.
• Total Polish investment in India is estimated at US$ 672 million.

Cultural Relations

• A Hindi Chair is in place at the University of Warsaw.
• The Indology Department of the Oriental Institute at the University of Warsaw is the largest center for Indian studies in Central Europe.
• Study of Indian languages, literature, culture and Indology is pursued at the Polish Universities.
• Polish Post issued a Commemorative Stamp on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji.

Consular Relations

• Visas: Poland had been included in e-visa scheme with effect from August 2015.

By: Shubham Tiwari