Davy case: India does U-turn, meets Danish team

Two months after India severed all political and official contacts with Denmark over the latter's refusal to extradite 1995 Purulia arms drop accused Kim Peter Davy, New Delhi has virtually made a U-turn with the HRD ministry and science and technology ministry entertaining an official level delegation from Copenhagen last week.

Two months after India severed all political and official contacts with Denmark over the latter's refusal to extradite 1995 Purulia arms drop accused Kim Peter Davy, New Delhi has virtually made a U-turn with the HRD ministry and science and technology ministry entertaining an official level delegation from Copenhagen last week.

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On August 1, 2011, Vivek Katju, then secretary (west) in ministry of external affairs, communicated a decision of external affairs minister SM Krishna "in view of the Danish government's refusal to cooperate on the matter of the extradition of Kim Peter Davy."

He said: "All contacts with Denmark at the political level as well as the level of senior officials may be suspended or severely curtailed till further notice....Normal economic activity and commercial interaction between business communities as well as cultural activities are not covered in the purview of EAM's decision."

The step was taken by Krishna in consultation with the ministry of home affairs after the Danish high court refused to extradite Davy. To date, Denmark has not appealed against the high court decision with New Delhi officially stating that this could "serve as an encouragement to terrorists and criminals."

However, senior MEA officials clarified that there was no change or dilution in the Indian position and official contacts still being discouraged with Denmark.

"We are not against economic and scientific interaction with Denmark as it is in our own interest," said a senior official on condition of anonymity.