India Defends FATF, Says Attempts to Undermine Its Credibility Reflect Fear of Scrutiny

India on Tuesday strongly defended the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), asserting that attempts by certain countries to question the global anti-money laundering watchdog’s credibility reflect a fear of scrutiny rather than genuine concerns over its functioning. The remarks were widely viewed as an indirect reference to Pakistan.

Speaking at a side event during the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, said the FATF plays a vital role in the international fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. He described the organisation as a technical, impartial and evidence-based body that evaluates countries on the basis of globally accepted standards.

Harish said nations that seek to undermine the FATF’s credibility should instead focus on addressing deficiencies in their own financial systems and strengthening mechanisms to combat terror financing. He noted that criticism of the watchdog often stems from an unwillingness to accept objective assessments and international oversight.

Without naming any country, the Indian envoy said the global community is well aware that terrorist financing networks rarely operate in isolation and frequently rely on state support, permissive environments or weak regulatory frameworks. He stressed that governments have a responsibility to ensure that their territories and financial systems are not used to fund or facilitate terrorist activities.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts, Harish called for the full implementation of FATF standards and closer international cooperation to identify, disrupt and dismantle financial networks supporting terrorism. He said an effective response requires stronger enforcement, greater information sharing and sustained political commitment from all countries.

India has consistently maintained that the fight against terrorism must include strict action against its financing and has urged all countries to uphold international obligations aimed at preventing terror groups from accessing financial resources. The country reiterated that strengthening global compliance with FATF standards remains essential for safeguarding the integrity of the international financial system and countering cross-border terrorism.