The Second Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the Second Meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery concluded successfully in Hyderabad on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation against corruption. The two-day meetings, hosted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, brought together senior policymakers, anti-corruption experts, financial intelligence officials and law-enforcement representatives from all BRICS member countries under India’s Presidency theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Inaugurating the meetings, Rachna Shah reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and stressed that integrity, transparency, accountability and technology-driven governance are essential pillars of good governance and sustainable development. She highlighted the urgent need for stronger international cooperation through timely information sharing and closer engagement among enforcement agencies to combat cross-border corruption effectively.
A major outcome of the meeting was the substantial progress made on India’s proposal to establish a BRICS Network of Law-Enforcement Practitioners aimed at strengthening cooperation in tracing fugitive offenders involved in corruption and supporting extradition processes. Member countries reached an in-principle agreement on the initiative and agreed to continue discussions on developing a dedicated practitioner-level platform. The member nations also welcomed the creation of a BRICS Repository on Informal Cooperation, which will serve as a practical reference for sharing national practices and informal cooperation mechanisms in tracing fugitive offenders and facilitating international collaboration.
The BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery reached consensus on standardised formats for faster practitioner-level information exchange during investigations and endorsed a Directory of Focal Points and Experts to facilitate direct communication among competent authorities across BRICS countries. Delegates shared national experiences and best practices in international asset recovery, highlighting the importance of closer cooperation among investigators and enforcement agencies in tackling financial crimes.
A special session on “Ethical Governance through Innovation and Tech-Driven Systems” showcased the role of digital governance, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big-data analytics in enhancing transparency, preventing corruption and strengthening public accountability. Participants emphasised the value of open data, digital social audits and citizen-centric grievance redressal systems. Another thematic session focused on the emerging risks posed by Financial Technology (FinTech) and Virtual Digital Assets, recognising both their transformative potential and the challenges they present in concealing and laundering the proceeds of corruption.
Member countries called for risk-based regulatory frameworks, stronger anti-money laundering safeguards and enhanced cross-border cooperation among Financial Intelligence Units. The meetings reaffirmed the collective commitment of BRICS countries to deepening practical cooperation in combating corruption, recovering illicit assets, tracing fugitive offenders and promoting transparent, accountable and technology-enabled governance. The outcomes of the Hyderabad meetings are expected to provide a strong foundation for future BRICS Presidencies to further strengthen operational cooperation among anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies across the BRICS nations.
