India conducts capacity-building programme with central Asian nations to counter terror financing

New Delhi, Feb 3: India has organised a capacity-building programme for representatives of Central Asian Republics aimed at countering the financing of terrorism through emerging digital channels. The initiative was conducted by the Department of Revenue in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the National Security Council Secretariat. Held in New Delhi on April 21–22, 2025, the programme focused on tackling terror financing through cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding platforms and misuse of non-profit organisations. It was delivered by experts from the Department of Revenue’s FATF Cell, Financial Intelligence Unit–India, National Investigation Agency, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Eurasian Group.

The sessions covered detection and investigation of virtual asset misuse, extremist financing through crowdfunding, and regulatory and financial intelligence frameworks for monitoring non-profit organisations. Indian agencies also shared case studies and provided customised study material tailored to the participants’ jurisdictions.

The government clarified that the sharing of expertise with Central Asian participants was limited to the April training programme and that no further exchange has taken place since. India said it plans to extend similar cooperation to other regions facing terror financing challenges, with a thematic capacity-building programme for BIMSTEC countries under consideration. India is also a member of the Asia Pacific Group and the Eurasian Group on Combating the Financing of Terrorism. The information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.