India US holds FATF discussions as India wants to put Pakistan on ‘grey list’

New Delhi (India) June 1: The main goal of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to the US was to improve financial and economic relations, particularly FATF coordination, which is important for India's fight against the funding of terrorism. The improvement of defence partnerships through information sharing, cooperative exercises, and co-production were also discussed during the meetings. The two countries also examined trade agreements, technology collaboration and relaxing export laws with the aim to support their bilateral strategy.

Mr Misri met with many officials during his visit, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in which both sides highlighted "technology, trade, and talent" as the key components of the India-U.S. partnership, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

This is important in regard to India's continuous attempts to add Pakistan to the international terror watchdog's grey list by pointing out its role in terror financing during the June FATF meeting. 

The Ministry of External Affairs said, “With Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender, the Foreign Secretary discussed ways to deepen economic and financial ties, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) processes.” in a statement

Misri's trip to the US came after PM Modi visited the US on February 13 of this year, when the two countries announced the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology).

India is going to advocate for Pakistan's re-inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "grey list" of nations that are under closer scrutiny at the group's upcoming conference, which is going to happen in June.

The Paris-based FATF is an intergovernmental body that sets standards for preventing the funding of terrorism and money laundering.India plans to submit a detailed report to the watchdog in order to bring back Pakistan on its "Grey List”. Pakistan was taken off the grey list in 2022 after being on it since 2018.

Reports state that India has gathered sufficient proof to back up the claims that Pakistan supports extreme Islamic terrorists who target Indians across the border.

Aadrika Tayal