India secured a major diplomatic victory as Vivek Aggarwal, a senior IAS officer and Union Secretary, was elected Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The MEA hailed the appointment as a “major win for India”, highlighting the country’s growing influence in combating money laundering, terror financing, and emerging financial threats globally.
In a significant diplomatic and strategic achievement for India, senior bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal, who is a Secretary in the Government of India, has been elected as the Vice President of the global anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing the announcement as a “major win for India”.
Announcing the development in a post on X on Saturday, the MEA said, “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.”
The ministry said the appointment reflects India’s growing role in global efforts to combat terrorism financing and illicit financial networks.
“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 MEA stated in its post.
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.
As India continues to champion a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our relentless…
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 19, 2026
Highlighting Aggarwal’s experience in the field, the ministry noted that he previously headed India’s FATF delegation and served as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND).
“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,” the post added.
The FATF is an intergovernmental body that develops policies and standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and threats to the international financial system.
