New Delhi: India on Saturday (October 10) raised Purulia arms drop case accused and conspirator Kim Davy extradition issue with the visiting Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and both sides favoured the legal process to take its course.
The Purulia arms drop case was a scandalous episode of 1995 when the Congress government under P V Narasimha Rao was in power.
"I would just say that this matter was raised and we have an understanding that the legal process must go forward and both countries are working on it," Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said at a special briefing on the visit.
India has been demanding the extradition of Davy from Denmark.
On December 17, 1995, a large consignment of illegal arms, including AK-47 rifles and ammunition, were dropped from an Antonov An-26 aircraft and was scattered in the Purulia district of West Bengal.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had, prior to the Danish Prime Minister's visit, said that India has remained engaged with Denmark on the extradition of Kim Davy.
"We are focused on that. It has been on the agenda. We have raised it in the past and we remained engaged with Denmark on this issue and our discussions are ongoing on the issue," Mr Bagchi has said.
Denmark's envoy to India, Freddy Svane, also has been quoted in the media as stating that -"Judiciaries on both sides (India and Denmark) are looking into it. We will leave it to them".
It was also alleged that a social group, Ananda Margis, was the 'intended recipient' of the guns and ammunition. The key accused, Kim Peter Davy (real name Niels Holck, alias Niels Christian Nielsen), had alleged political conspiracy behind the gory episode.
In his book "De kalder mig terrorist' (They call me Terrorist)', Kim Davy has reportedly alleged that the arms drop fiasco was orchestrated by Congress leaders against the then Left Front government in West Bengal.
Bilateral talks:
Danish PM and her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, held bilateral talks on Saturday.
"The two Prime Ministers underlined the warm and friendly relations between India and Denmark based on shared principles and values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights," a joint statement said.
The visiting dignitary Mette Frederiksen said: "You (PM Modi) are an inspiration for the rest of the world as you have set some very ambitious targets when it comes to clean water for over one million households and renewable energy including offshore wind."
"I am proud that you have accepted my invitation to visit Denmark."
Both sides agreed that India and Denmark are natural and close partners and agreed to enhance efforts for reforming and strengthening multilateralism and a rules-based international order, including freedom of navigation. The two Prime Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to an aspiring and results-oriented Green Strategic Partnership.
They welcomed the detailed 5-year Action Plan (2021-2026) and noted the progress in its implementation. They agreed that strengthening the Green Strategic Partnership will be important for green growth and lead to mutually beneficial cooperation.
To a question at the briefing, Ms Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), said Prime Minister Modi briefed the Danish PM on developments "in our region, including Afghanistan, and the Danish side echoed India's concerns about the situation in Afghanistan, and the risks of terrorism that are emanating from there."
Both sides share similar views on protecting human rights of people in Afghanistan, including women and minorities, the need to allow people to move freely and leave the country, she said. Both the leaders also reiterated that the global community should continue to have a "collective approach to Afghanistan", she said.
