NEW DELHI: India on Friday secured the vice-chairmanship of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, in a significant achievement in its engagement with the international financial security architecture.
The appointment was announced at the conclusion of FATF’s plenary meeting held at its headquarters in Paris from June 17-19, where delegates from more than 200 jurisdictions and observer bodies discussed emerging threats to financial integrity and global security.
Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, a 1994 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the next Vice-President of the FATF for the term 2026-2027.
He will succeed British national Giles Thomson, who currently holds the post.
“Members endorsed FATF’s priorities under the incoming UK presidency and appointed India’s Vivek Aggarwal as the next FATF Vice-President (July 2026-June 2027),” FATF said in a statement.
India, which became a member of the FATF in 2010, will occupy this leadership position for the first time. A senior official noted that Aggarwal is no stranger to the body.
“He has previously led the Indian delegation to the FATF and has been closely associated with India’s engagements in the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing frameworks,” the official said.
