The agreement also covers illicit drug trafficking through the region, a critical issue that has been worrying India for some time, the ministry said.

Interior Minister Shivraj Patil and Gen. Le Hong Anh, Vietnam's minister for public security who is visiting India, signed the agreement after talks, the ministry spokesman said.

The pact was signed following a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters sealed during Patil's visit to Vietnam last October. The treaty ensures mutual assistance in prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime in the two countries, the spokesman said.

He said the treaty also covers service of summons and other judicial papers and execution of warrants. Tracing proceeds and instruments of crime, their forfeiture and confiscation are also covered under the pact.

The latest round of talks saw the two sides reviewing existing initiatives, including capacity-building and training issues. India offered to train officers from Vietnam in investigating bank fraud, cybercrime and drug trafficking, and two such courses have already been conducted.

India is also working to set up a cyber forensic laboratory in Vietnam.