India to Lead ARIN-AP in 2026, Boosting Global Crime Asset Recovery Efforts

India is set to take over the presidency of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP) in 2026. This development follows India's entry into the network's steering committee, allowing the country to influence ARIN-AP's strategies for tackling and recovering proceeds of crime, aligning with global asset recovery initiatives.

In a significant development, India will preside over the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP) in 2026, according to an announcement by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday. The move marks India's heightened involvement in the international pursuit of recovering proceeds of crime and bolstering asset recovery collaborations worldwide.

The ED confirmed India's inclusion in ARIN-AP's steering committee, underscoring the country's growing influence in economic crime deterrence across the Asia-Pacific region. This strategic position will allow India to spearhead decision-making processes within the network, enhancing efforts to combat economic offenses globally.

Scheduled to host the network's Annual General Meeting in 2026, India aims to strengthen its leadership and cooperation with both regional and international partners. ARIN-AP, established for cross-border coordination on asset tracing and confiscation, includes 28 member jurisdictions. It functions in tandem with the wider CARIN Network for effective communication and intelligence sharing, crucial for monitoring assets linked to criminal activities.

The network strives to emerge as a center of expertise, advocating for best practices in asset recovery. It endorses partnerships with entities like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the private sector to meet its objectives efficiently. This cooperation is pivotal for law enforcement agencies within the network, facilitating the tracing and recovery of crime proceeds across borders.

India's engagement with ARIN-AP has proven invaluable in navigating asset tracing challenges, especially in international cases, providing a platform for informal information exchange leading to formal actions. These initiatives align seamlessly with India's focus on addressing fugitive economic offenders and asset recovery as part of the G20's Nine-Point Agenda.

(With inputs from agencies.)