At Interpol meet in Vienna, India seeks action in transnational crimes

“Discussions were held for better sharing of information on criminals through Interpol channels to expedite mutual legal assistance and extradition requests,” a CBI spokesperson said, adding that India also supported the adoption of Interpol’s ‘Vision 2030’.

At the general assembly, the five-member Indian delegation, led by CBI Director Praveen Sood and NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta, also stressed on the need to adopt coordinated strategies to curtail operations of transnational criminal organisations.

The four-day assembly, which began on November 28, also celebrated the centenary year of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), which was formed in 1923.

“Increased leveraging of Interpol channels and relationships with law enforcement agencies globally to combat crime and criminals saw 24 criminals and fugitives wanted by India brought back this year, the highest ever in a year. India has also geolocated more than 184 criminals in various countries and initiated formal proceedings for their return,” the spokesperson said.

“During discussions with law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, India sought enhanced coordination through the Interpol with a view for concerted action to combat organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, online radicalisation, cyber-enabled financial crimes, and to prevent these crimes on a real-time basis,” the spokesperson said.

“The need for coordinated strategies to curtail criminal organisations, which operate across international jurisdictions, was deliberated,” the spokesperson added.

It also discussed the creation of the Interpol Future Council, a council of experts to ensure that further development and implementation of the ‘Interpol Vision-2030’ takes into account the evolving needs of law enforcement in member countries, he said.

The Indian team held discussions with senior officials of Interpol, Europol, Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Organisation and US Air Force Office of Special Investigations on strengthening arrangements for cooperation, the spokesperson said.

India had joined the Interpol in 1949, and has been an active member of the organisation. It has hosted two General Assemblies.
Last year, India hosted the 90th General Assembly which saw the participation of delegations from 168 countries. During the assembly, a resolution was adopted to strengthen collaborative response to disrupt financial crime and corruption, combat menace of online child sexual exploitation and promote diversity within the Interpol. The Interpol also launched its presence in the Metaverse during the 90th General Assembly.