India has for the first time secured the vice-presidency of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog against money laundering and terror financing. Senior bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal has been elected to the post for a one-year term beginning July 2026. The appointment was announced at the FATF plenary held in Paris during 17-19 June, where member countries selected him as the next FATF vice-president. He will succeed Giles Thomson of the United Kingdom, who has served in the role since July 2025. The FATF, in its official outcome statement, said the Plenary selected Vivek Aggarwal from India to be the next FATF Vice President. Aggarwal is currently secretary in the Union ministry of culture and previously served as head of the Indian delegation to the FATF. He has also held key positions in the department of revenue and headed the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), the country's nodal agency for combating money laundering and tracking suspicious financial transactions. This is the first time an Indian official will occupy one of the top leadership positions in the standard-setting body, seen as recognition of India's growing role in shaping the global anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terror financing (CFT) framework. The development comes as the FATF increasingly focuses on emerging risks linked to virtual assets, digital payments, decentralised finance platforms, online fraud, social media-based terrorist financing and technology-enabled financial crimes. At the June plenary, FATF added Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq to its grey list, while Algeria and Namibia were removed after completing agreed action plans.
In a first, India's Vivek Aggarwal named vice-president of Paris-based FATF
India has for the first time secured the vice-presidency of the FATF, with senior IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal elected for a one-year term from July 2026. The appointment was made at the FATF plenary in Paris during 17-19 June, where he was chosen to succeed Giles Thomson of the UK. It marks the first time an Indian holds a top leadership position in the global anti-money laundering watchdog.
Key facts
- India secured the FATF vice-presidency for the first time, with Vivek Aggarwal elected for a one-year term from July 2026.
- The appointment was announced at the FATF plenary in Paris held during 17-19 June.
- Aggarwal will succeed Giles Thomson of the UK, who held the role since July 2025.
- Aggarwal is currently secretary in the Union ministry of culture and earlier headed FIU-IND and the Indian delegation to FATF.
- FATF, the global watchdog against money laundering and terror financing, was established in 1989 by the G7; India became a full member in 2010.
- At the June plenary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq were added to the grey list, while Algeria and Namibia were removed.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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With reference to the recent election of India's Vivek Aggarwal as FATF Vice-President, consider the following statements: 1. He has been elected for a one-year term beginning July 2026. 2. He will succeed Giles Thomson of the United Kingdom. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. Vivek Aggarwal has been elected FATF Vice-President for a one-year term beginning July 2026, and he will succeed Giles Thomson of the United Kingdom, who has held the role since July 2025.
Source: Livemint
Frequently asked questions
Who has been elected vice-president of the FATF?
Senior IAS officer Vivek Aggarwal of India has been elected FATF vice-president for a one-year term beginning July 2026.
What is the FATF?
The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is the Paris-based global watchdog that sets standards to combat money laundering, terror financing and proliferation financing. It was established in 1989 by the G7 nations.
Whom will Aggarwal succeed?
He will succeed Giles Thomson of the United Kingdom, who has served as FATF vice-president since July 2025.
Why is this appointment significant for India?
It is the first time an Indian official will hold one of the top leadership positions in the FATF, seen as recognition of India's growing role in the global anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing framework.
Which countries were added to the FATF grey list at the June plenary?
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq were added to the grey list, while Algeria and Namibia were removed after completing agreed action plans.
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