Need action on terror, eco fugitives: India

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India has made a pitch for a strong response from G20 nations to counter the menace of terrorism and narcotics, while also laying out a strong anti-corruption agenda that focuses on the deliverables on combating financial crimes and addresses the issue of fugitive economic offenders.

A case for counter-terror and anti-narcotics measures, on the grounds that they hamper the socio-economic development of nations, came along with a call for a dialogue on the reform of the multilateral system that provides a much greater say to developing countries in decision-making, sources familiar with the closed-door discussions told TOI.

On Tuesday, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant told his counterparts that the need for reforms in entities like the World Bank set up after World War II is being recognised universally to make them more “fair, just, inclusive and equitable” in a multipolar international system. Reforming entities such as the WTO and revitalising the World Bank and the IMF so that they can support sustainable development goals as well as green transition are now in focus.

During his intervention, Kant is learned to have suggested that green hydrogen can be an attractive alternative and evolving principles for it will be a priority.

Separately, India has identified a crackdown against fugitive economic offenders as its priority for the anti-corruption group in the wake of liquor-baron-turned-loan-defaulter Vijay Mallya and diamond merchants Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, accused of committing a mega fraud at Punjab National Bank, fleeing the country to avoid legal action in India.

Muktesh Pardeshi, officer on special duty in the G20 secretariat, told reporters that countries often find it difficult to get back economic offenders who settle overseas, and the issue is being highlighted by India. The call for a unified action under the G20 umbrella comes as the government is seeking the extradition of several offenders who are seen to have committed frauds and indulged in money laundering and tax evasion.

Sources said the existing international frameworks can be used to fully implement the applicable agreements to address the issue and recover assets. (The Times of India)