India to focus on seeking cooperation in tracing fugitive offenders in 2nd BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting
New Delhi, August 3
Strengthening informal cooperation for tracing fugitive offenders sought in corruption cases and supporting extradition proceedings is among key discussions India want to raise during the second meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the second meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery in Hyderabad and Telangana to be held on August 4-5 under India's BRICS Presidency 2026.
The discussions will also focus on enhancing information-sharing and operational cooperation through the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery; and sharing experiences and good practices in preventing and combating corruption-related risks arising from FinTech, digital assets and emerging digital financial instruments.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions will host the second meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the second meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery in Hyderabad. The meeting is being organised in line with the theme of India's BRICS Presidency, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
To be inaugurated by DoPT Secretary Rachna Shah, the event is expected to witness participation from BRICS member countries, along with senior policymakers, experts, practitioners and representatives of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.
"The discussions will focus on advancing practical cooperation through: strengthening informal cooperation for tracing fugitive offenders sought in corruption cases and supporting extradition proceedings; enhancing information-sharing and operational cooperation through the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery; and sharing experiences and good practices in preventing and combating corruption-related risks arising from FinTech, digital assets and emerging digital financial instruments, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said in a statement.
The Hyderabad meeting builds upon the outcomes of the First BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting, held virtually on 2-3 June 2026. BRICS members will deliberate on strengthening international cooperation for asset recovery, combating cross-border corruption, and enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.
A dedicated side event titled "Ethical Governance through Innovation and Tech-Driven Systems" will also be organised on August 5. The side event will provide a platform for BRICS members to exchange experiences on technology-enabled governance, including digital public procurement, citizen engagement, transparency, accountability and innovative approaches to strengthening integrity in public administration.
The Ministry further said the Hyderabad meeting will reaffirm India's commitment to promoting practical cooperation among BRICS members through dialogue, exchange of experiences and collaborative initiatives. As the final Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting under India's BRICS Presidency, it is expected to consolidate the progress achieved during the year and lay the foundation for sustained cooperation among BRICS members in asset recovery, prevention of cross-border corruption, technology-enabled governance and institutional capacity-building.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The focus on FinTech and digital assets in anti-corruption is very relevant for today's world. Cryptocurrencies have become a safe haven for illegal wealth. I appreciate that India is bringing this issue to the BRICS table. The side event on "Ethical Governance through Innovation" sounds promising too - digital public procurement can really reduce corruption.
Good initiative, but I wish we were equally aggressive in domestic anti-corruption measures. The BRICS meetings are important, but citizens are awaiting action on the ground. Let's hope the "informal cooperation" framework helps bring back fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya who are sitting comfortably abroad. That would be the real test of these meetings.
Hosting BRICS meetings in Hyderabad is a great recognition for the city! The focus on "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" is timely. India's leadership in BRICS will definitely strengthen the collective fight against corruption. The Expert Network on Asset Recovery is a crucial mechanism - let's see how it evolves after this meeting.
The fact that India is emphasising "informal cooperation" for extradition outside the legal framework is smart. Western countries often use technicalities to delay extraditions. BRICS countries must share intelligence more freely and not let political considerations block justice. Also, digital asset tracking is the new frontier in anti-corruption - glad our government is ahead of the curve. 👏
While this is a positive step, I hope the meeting doesn't just focus on high-profile fugitives but also addresses systemic corruption in public procurement and governance within BRICS nations.
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