Andalib Akhter
India placed strong emphasis on operational cooperation to recover illicit assets and combat cross-border corruption as it chaired the first meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) under its BRICS Presidency.
The two-day virtual meeting, led by India’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), focused on translating anti-corruption commitments into practical institutional action. Inaugurating the session, Rachna Shah highlighted the importance of sustained international collaboration, stronger institutions, and technology-enabled governance systems to address increasingly complex corruption challenges.
A major focus of the discussions remained on international cooperation for asset recovery and tackling cross-border corruption, reflecting growing concerns over illicit financial flows and offenders operating across jurisdictions. Delegates explored ways to strengthen practitioner-level coordination, improve mechanisms to trace and recover illegally acquired assets, and enhance cooperation in dealing with fugitive economic offenders.
The Working Group also examined how innovation and digital governance tools can improve transparency, strengthen accountability, and reduce opportunities for corruption in public systems. Participants underlined the role of technology in building more responsive and ethical governance frameworks.
Another important operational priority discussed was enhancing transparency and accountability in governance through institutional reforms and improved information-sharing among BRICS nations.
According to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the outcomes and initiatives emerging from this meeting will be carried forward for further deliberations during the second BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting scheduled to take place in Hyderabad in August this year.