NEW DELHI: Amid questions over prolonged detention of Mohd Haneef, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said Australia should extend all facilities and rights within its laws to the Bangalore doctor allegedly linked with suspects in the failed UK terror attack.
"They (Australia) ought to extend all the facilities within the law and the rights he is entitled to," he said on the sidelines of a book release function here.
The Prime Minister's response came when his reaction was sought on the actions of the Australian authorities who charged Haneef with 'recklessly' supporting a terrorist organisation.
Haneef was accused of providing a mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed who was allegedly involved in the failed UK terror plots.
The statement by Singh came a day after New Delhi summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy to convey its concern and emphasise that the doctor needs to be treated in a fair manner.
"We are in touch with the Australian authorities," Singh said adding the Indian High Commissioner in Australia as well as the Ministry of External Affairs were in touch with Australian authorities on the issue.
India has over the past couple of days conveyed concern over the circumstances in which 27-year-old Haneef is and wanted Canberra to treat him in a 'fair' manner.
Australia had earlier this week cancelled the Bangalore doctor's visa to retain him in detention after a court granted him bail in failed UK terror attack case.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra is helping Haneef's family in arranging legal assistance, the Prime Minister said.
Brisbane Magistrate Jacqui Payne granted him bail subject to a few conditions, saying the prosecution had not alleged any direct link between the Bangalore doctor and the botched car bombings in London and Glasgow.
