India has been elected to the vice-presidency of the Financial Action Task Force for the first time, with senior IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal appointed to the position for a one-year term from July 2026 to June 2027. The Ministry of Finance announced the development on Friday.
FATF Plenary Approves Appointment
Aggarwal is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and currently serves as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. His appointment was approved by the FATF Plenary, the organisation’s highest decision-making body.
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The Paris-based intergovernmental watchdog establishes international standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of weapons proliferation.
The vice-president assists the FATF president in directing the organisation’s work and shaping global policy responses to emerging financial threats.
India’s Global Financial Role Expands
The Finance Ministry said India’s elevation reflected the confidence it had earned within the FATF Global Network, which comprises more than 200 jurisdictions.
Officials linked the achievement to India’s performance in its latest Mutual Evaluation and its contribution to policy discussions on emerging financial risks, particularly those involving virtual asset service providers and digital payment systems.
Aggarwal described the appointment as recognition of India’s collective efforts and the strength of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework.
He said he was honoured to serve and looked forward to working with the FATF Global Network to keep the international financial system safe, inclusive and resilient.
Appointment Marks New Chapter for India
Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava described the election as a proud milestone and said it reinforced India’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the international financial system and strengthening cooperation against financial crime.
Established in 1989, the FATF develops and promotes policies against financial crimes. Its recommendations serve as benchmarks for national regulatory frameworks worldwide.
The FATF presidency operates on a two-year term, with the vice-president supporting the organisation’s mandate. India’s assumption of the role strengthens its voice in shaping international financial security standards amid continuing concerns over illicit fund flows, cross-border financial crime and terrorist financing.
