ED bags position in Steering Committee of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network

New Delhi, November 4

India, represented by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has been included in the Steering Committee of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network - Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP), a prominent multi-agency network dedicated to tackling the proceeds of crime in the Asia-Pacific region and a member of the Global CARIN
Network.

This new role will enable India to contribute to ARIN-AP's decision- making and administrative responsibilities, furthering its mission to combat economic crimes and support asset recovery at a global scale.
 

In a significant recognition of India’s contributions to ARIN-AP, India will assume the presidency of the network and host the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2026. This milestone provides a unique platform to reinforce India’s leadership in asset recovery and enhance cooperation with regional and international
partners.

ARIN-AP was established to facilitate cross-border collaboration on asset tracing, freezing, and confiscation, ARIN-AP includes 28 member jurisdictions and nine observers and serves as an informal yet robust network as part of CARIN Network. It operates through a network of contact points, enabling effective communication and intelligence exchange among member agencies, and of more than 100 jurisdictions in CARIN Network with ED representing India as the nodal agency.

The objectives of the forum are- Prioritizing the pursuit and recovery of assets derived from the proceeds
of all crimes, in alignment with international commitments. Establishing itself as a centre of expertise in asset recovery, fostering best practices and knowledge sharing. Facilitating training, research, and partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Camden Asset Recovery Interagency Network (CARIN). Promoting collaboration with the private sector to meet its objectives
effectively.

Law Enforcement Agencies across ARIN-AP and CARIN jurisdictions benefit from this network, as it aids in tracing assets related to criminal activities, both movable and immovable, across borders. Through ARIN-AP and the larger CARIN Network, agencies can exchange information on individuals, assets, and
companies informally, often expediting the identification and recovery of proceeds of crime. 

India’s participation in ARIN-AP has been instrumental in addressing the challenges of asset-tracing and recovery, especially in cases with overseas links. The platform has enabled ED to obtain and share intelligence informally, paving the way for formal actions through bilateral or multilateral agreements. This aligns with India’s priorities under the G20 framework, particularly with respect to the Nine Point Agenda on tackling fugitive economic offenders and asset recovery, proposed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi