Senior Indian bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal has been elected Vice President of FATF, a development the government says reflects India’s growing influence in global efforts against terror financing and illicit financial networks.
Senior bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal has been elected Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a key global body combating money laundering and terror financing. | X/@PIB_India
India has secured a prominent position in the leadership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with senior bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal being elected Vice President of the global watchdog that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The development places an Indian official in a key decision-making role within one of the world’s most influential financial oversight bodies. The Ministry of External Affairs described the election as a major achievement for India and said it reflects the country’s growing contribution to international efforts against terror financing and illicit financial flows.
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Announcing the election on Friday night, the ministry said Aggarwal’s appointment comes at a time when India continues to advocate stronger global action against terrorist financing networks.
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“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 MEA said in a post on X.
The ministry said the leadership role aligns with India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.
“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,” it 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
According to the MEA, Aggarwal brings extensive experience in financial intelligence and anti-money laundering frameworks. He previously headed India’s delegation to the FATF and also 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 ministry said.
The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation that formulates global standards and policy measures to tackle money laundering, terror financing and other threats to the international financial system.
The Ministry of Culture also welcomed the development, saying the election reflects the confidence India has earned among jurisdictions participating in the FATF framework.
“It reflects the immense trust and credibility India has built across more than 200 jurisdictions, highlighting the nation’s proactive role in shaping global policy on emerging risks like digital payments and virtual assets,” the ministry said in a post on X.
The ministry said the appointment underlines India’s increasing role in discussions around emerging financial challenges and regulatory responses.
Vivek Aggarwal is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and currently serves as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. He has held a number of senior positions in both the Union and state governments during his career.
🔹 India to assume Vice-Presidency of the Financial Action Task Force for the first time
🔹 Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, @MinOfCultureGoI, appointed Vice-President of FATF for the term of July 2026- June 2027
🔹 The Vice-President of the #FATF is elected by the FATF Plenary from… pic.twitter.com/WAVPfYNl3c
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 19, 2026
Prior to his appointment as Culture Secretary last year, he worked as Additional Secretary in the Department of Revenue, where he dealt with key financial and regulatory matters. During that period, he also headed FIU-IND and led India’s engagement with the FATF.
His responsibilities included matters related to anti-money laundering, financial intelligence, economic security and GST.
Aggarwal also served as Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, where he oversaw programmes such as PM-KISAN, Digital Agriculture and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
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