The Indian Federal Cabinet approved its Government's...

The Indian Federal Cabinet approved its Government's decision to give a sovereign assurance to Portugal that Abu Salem, wanted in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts, would not be given capital punishment if he is extradited to India. Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee approved the proposal on December 12, 2002 and the sovereign assurance was conveyed to Portugal on December 27. "India is awaiting Portugal's response," she said.