India and UAE Strengthen Cooperation Under FATF Framework to Counter Terror Financing
India and the United Arab Emirates have announced a renewed partnership to enhance financial intelligence sharing and strengthen mechanisms to combat terror financing, marking a significant step under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework.
Officials from both countries highlighted that the agreement will facilitate closer monitoring of suspicious financial activities, improve regulatory compliance, and accelerate joint investigations into illicit fund flows. The initiative is expected to bolster regional security and support global efforts to curb the financing of terrorism and organized crime.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to a secure financial system and the eradication of illicit activities,” said a senior Indian official. “Enhanced coordination under the FATF framework ensures that financial crimes are detected and addressed swiftly, reducing the risks of funding extremist activities.”
The UAE, a strategic trade and investment partner for India, has pledged to provide technical assistance and intelligence support, ensuring compliance with international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standards. This move follows previous FATF evaluations recommending stricter cross-border cooperation to curb financial vulnerabilities in the region.
Experts note that the partnership could have a wider impact on the Gulf and South Asia, where financial networks are increasingly complex and globalized. By improving transparency and reporting mechanisms, both nations aim to deter misuse of legitimate financial channels for illicit purposes.
Analysts also highlight the timing of the agreement, which comes amid heightened scrutiny of terror financing networks in the region and calls for stronger international cooperation. “India-UAE coordination under FATF is a strong signal to the global community,” said a counter-terrorism expert. “It demonstrates that countries are willing to take proactive steps to prevent terrorist activities and safeguard the integrity of financial systems.”
The collaboration will include regular intelligence exchanges, joint training programs for law enforcement agencies, and the development of digital monitoring tools to identify suspicious transactions. Both governments stressed that this initiative is complementary to existing bilateral security agreements and multilateral FATF commitments.
As India and the UAE continue to strengthen their strategic and economic ties, this FATF-aligned partnership underscores the importance of collaborative action in countering global terrorism and ensuring the stability of financial networks.
For more such articles, please follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.