India says criticism of FATF reflects 'fear of scrutiny' at UN counter-terrorism event

• India defended the FATF as a key global anti-terror financing body at the UN.
• It said criticism of FATF reflects “fear of scrutiny,” in a veiled reference to Pakistan.
• India urged countries to stop allowing their territory to be used for terrorism.
• Officials highlighted rising risks from digital platforms, crypto, and crowdfunding.
• UN chief warned terrorists are exploiting AI, drones, and online networks.

At a United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week side event, India strongly defended the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), calling it an “indispensable pillar” of the global system to combat terror financing and money laundering.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said that attempts by some countries to question the FATF’s credibility “often reflect fear of scrutiny rather than genuine process-related concerns.” The remarks were seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan.

He urged countries under scrutiny to address deficiencies, strengthen enforcement systems, improve financial transparency, and take irreversible action against terror-financing networks.

“The answer to FATF scrutiny is not politicised activism in UN forums but credible compliance,” Harish said. He also warned that states allowing their territory or financial systems to be misused for terrorism must stop “exporting instability” and meet international obligations for global peace and security.

India emphasized that modern terrorism is increasingly driven by technology. Harish pointed to the growing use of crowdfunding platforms, prepaid instruments, and digital assets in terror financing networks. He also highlighted emerging risks linked to social media platforms, where virtual tokens, points, and digital systems can be misused to store or transfer value.

“Terrorists are technology neutral,” he said, adding that they adopt whatever tools are cheap, fast, and lightly regulated.

He also noted that some terrorist financing threats are not anonymous and have historically been “sponsored, including by state actors,” another indirect reference to Pakistan.

India called for a risk-based regulatory framework anchored in FATF standards. Harish stressed that financial rules must not harm legitimate activity such as financial inclusion and humanitarian work, and warned that unchecked illicit flows undermine regulatory systems.

India also highlighted its own domestic steps, including bringing virtual asset service providers under anti-money laundering rules, tightening verification systems for crypto exchanges, and contributing case studies to FATF best practices.

Harish referenced India’s leadership during its 2022 presidency of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, which produced the “Delhi Declaration” on countering terrorist use of emerging technologies.

He said India has focused on virtual assets and online platforms as key areas of global concern.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that global instability, conflict, and economic hardship are creating ideal conditions for terrorism to spread.

“Terrorists of all stripes are adapting,” Guterres said, noting their increasing use of artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and unmanned weapons such as drones.

He added that while technology enables terrorism, it can also help detect threats, block illicit funding, and identify radicalization pathways earlier.

Guterres urged stronger international cooperation, stressing that terrorism is a transnational threat that no country can address alone.