Top bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal elected VP of anti-terror financing watchdog FATF

In a significant diplomatic achievement, senior Indian bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal has been elected Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global body dedicated to combating money laundering and terror financing.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hailed the announcement as a "major win for India," underscoring the nation's increasing influence in global efforts against terrorism financing and illicit financial networks. The appointment reinforces India's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.

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Major win for India in FATF! Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Government of India, has been elected the Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force.

Aggarwal, a Secretary in the Government of India, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously led India's delegation to the FATF and served as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND). The MEA highlighted that his "profound expertise" will be instrumental in advancing FATF's mission to secure financial integrity.

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As India continues to champion a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our relentless focus on combating global terrorist financing networks and dismantling illicit financial systems.

The FATF plays a crucial role in developing policies and standards to combat threats to the international financial system. Aggarwal's election comes as India actively pushes for stronger international action against terror financing and cross-border financial crimes, aiming to further strengthen its engagement with the FATF.

Beyond the MEA, the Ministry of Culture also celebrated the news, noting that Aggarwal's election reflects the immense trust and credibility India has built among over 200 jurisdictions. This leadership role signifies India's growing influence in shaping global responses to emerging challenges, including digital payments and virtual assets.

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His profound expertise as the former Head of India's FATF delegation and former Director of FIU-IND will advance FATF's mandate to secure financial integrity.

Vivek Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently serves as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. He has a distinguished career spanning over three decades, holding key positions in finance, agriculture, urban development, and public policy at both Union and state government levels. Prior to his current role, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

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It reflects the immense trust and credibility India has built across more than 200 jurisdictions, highlighting the nation's proactive role in shaping global policy on emerging risks like digital payments and virtual assets.