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Vivek Agrawal, the Secretary of Culture, has been appointed as the Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This international body sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. This marks the first time India has held the vice-presidency of this influential organization. India has been a member of FATF since 2010. According to an official announcement, Agrawal was appointed during a plenary meeting held at the organization's headquarters in Paris. He will succeed Giles Thomson from the United Kingdom, who has held the position since July 1, 2025.

The organization stated that members approved the priorities of FATF under the upcoming UK presidency and appointed Vivek Agrawal as the new Vice President for the term from July 2026 to June 2027.

A 1994 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Agrawal has previously led India's delegation at FATF and served as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). With over 30 years of administrative experience, he has held significant roles in both central and state governments, covering areas such as finance, agriculture, urban development, infrastructure, and public policy.

Before taking on the role of Secretary of Culture in April 2025, Agrawal served as Additional Secretary in the Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry. During this time, he led the Financial Intelligence Unit-India and headed India's delegation at FATF. He has also worked as Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, overseeing major programs like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Digital Agriculture, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. At the time of the release of India's previous Mutual Evaluation Report in 2024, he was serving as Additional Secretary in the central Finance Ministry.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, described Agrawal's appointment as a "significant victory" for India, emphasizing that this role strengthens the country's ongoing efforts to combat global terrorist financing networks. Jaiswal noted that Agrawal's "deep expertise" as the former head of India's delegation at FATF will aid the organization in advancing its mission of ensuring financial integrity.

In his statement, Vivek Agrawal expressed that this appointment reflects India's collective efforts and the strengthening of the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. He stated that it is a great honor to have the opportunity to serve and expressed enthusiasm about working with the FATF global network to maintain a secure, inclusive, and robust international financial system. The presidency of FATF lasts for two years, while the vice president assists the president in fulfilling the organization's responsibilities.