India has got the responsibility of the post of Vice President of FATF for the first time. FATF is an international organization that makes rules to prevent money laundering and terrorism funding around the world. India is a member of this organization since 2010. At the end of the plenary meeting held at the organization's headquarters in Paris, Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal was appointed the new Vice President of FATF. He will replace Giles Thomson of UK, who held the post from July 1, 2025.
Vivek Aggarwal is the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Vivek Aggarwal will hold this post from July 2026 to June 2027. Vivek Aggarwal is a 1994 batch IAS officer and belongs to Madhya Pradesh cadre. He has previously served as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and head of India's team at FATF. The Ministry of External Affairs has called it a big victory for India. The government says that this designation will further strengthen India's strong stance in stopping the funding of terrorism.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Agarwal's election as a "major victory" for India and said the leadership role reinforces India's continued focus on combating global terrorist financing networks.
“As India promotes a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our continued focus on combating global terrorist financing networks and dismantling the illicit financial system,” he 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.
As India continues to champion a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our relentless
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 19, 2026
“With this appointment, an Indian official has been placed at the top of the body that sets global standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing,” the ministry said in a statement.
Vivek Aggarwal said in his statement that this appointment is a success of the best efforts of the Indian team and our strong system to prevent money laundering and terrorism funding. He said, "It is a great honor for me to serve in this important position. I am excited to work with FATF to make the world's financial system safe, open and strong for all."
