India to ratify UN Convention against Corruption

India on Monday said the ratification of United Nations Convention Against Corruption was currently underway and was likely to be "completed soon".

The remarks by the external affairs ministry came on the heels of questions being asked about India not ratifying the UN convention which it had signed six years ago, raising doubts about its commitment to fight corruption.

"India along with fellow UN members had signed the UN Convention Against Corruption in 2005. The ratification process is currently underway and is likely to be completed soon," official spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said.

The convention has been inked by 140 countries.

The convention, if ratified, could have made it easier for India to repatriate billions of dollars in black money alleged to have been stashed away overseas.

However, before ratifying the UN convention, the government has to make changes in domestic laws to ensure more transparency in funding election campaigns and political parties, among other crucial legislative steps, to bring it at par with the international instrument.

According to the UN convention, "each state party shall also consider adopting appropriate legislative and administrative measures, consistent with the objectives of this convention and in accordance with the fundamental principles of its domestic law, to prescribe criteria concerning candidature for and election to public office."

It also prescribes disciplinary or other measures against public officials who violate the codes or standards established in accordance with this article.