New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic and financial governance milestone, India has been elected to the Vice-Presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the first time, marking a major endorsement of the country’s growing influence in the global fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes.
The Ministry of Finance announced that Vivek Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, has been elected and appointed as the FATF Vice-President for the term from July 2026 to June 2027. His appointment received approval from the FATF Plenary, the organization’s highest decision-making body.
The Paris-based FATF is the world’s leading intergovernmental watchdog responsible for setting international standards aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of weapons proliferation. The Vice-President plays a crucial role in assisting the President in guiding the organization’s work, facilitating policy discussions and addressing emerging threats to the global financial system.
India’s elevation to a key leadership position within the FATF reflects the confidence and trust it has earned among members of the FATF Global Network, which includes more than 200 jurisdictions worldwide. According to the Ministry of Finance, the development follows India’s strong performance in its latest Mutual Evaluation process and its active contributions to discussions on emerging financial risks, particularly those linked to virtual asset service providers, digital payment ecosystems and evolving financial technologies.
Reacting to the appointment, Vivek Aggarwal described the development as recognition of India’s sustained efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reaffirmed India’s commitment to working closely with the FATF Global Network to ensure that the international financial system remains safe, resilient and inclusive.
Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava hailed the election as a proud moment for the country, stating that it reinforces India’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the global financial system and enhancing international cooperation against financial crimes. He noted that the appointment reflects India’s growing stature in global financial governance and its active engagement in addressing cross-border financial challenges.
The achievement comes at a time when illicit financial flows, cyber-enabled financial crimes, money laundering networks and terrorism financing continue to pose serious risks to economies and security frameworks across the world. India’s presence in the FATF leadership is expected to strengthen its voice in shaping international policies and standards aimed at tackling these evolving threats.
Established in 1989, the FATF develops recommendations that serve as benchmarks for national regulatory and enforcement frameworks worldwide. India’s assumption of the vice-presidency marks a new chapter in its engagement with global financial institutions and highlights its increasing role in promoting financial transparency, security and international cooperation.
