The External Affairs Ministry notifies Antigua of its extradition commitment as part of the Commonwealth.  Indian government directs provisions of Extradition Act 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua & Barbuda. In 2001 Antigua & Barbuda notified India as designated country under the Commonwealth under the provision of Extradition Act.


This is particularly important for India in its efforts to extradite diamantaire Mehul Choksi who has taken up citizenship of the country.


In fact, Antigua and Barbuda has already informed India that in the absence of a bilateral treaty, Choksi can still be extradited to New Delhi as both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Antigua and Barbuda government is of the view that Section 7 of its Extradition Act, 1993, provides scope for acting on New Delhi's request to send back the jeweller.


The CBI has already initiated the process to extradite the businessman from Antigua. The CBI has sent a request under the UN Convention against corruption as both countries are part of the convention.