India calls for international support to deal with fugitives

India has called for a strong and aligned international cooperation to combat the challenge of Fugitive Economic Offenders and Assets. India has made it clear that the world is presently combating another serious emerging challenge of Fugitive Economic Offenders and Assets which flee across national jurisdictions. Minister of state PMP Dr Jitendra Singh said this while addressing  a special session of UN General Assembly on Challenges and Measures to Fight Corruption.

He called for a strong international cooperation on the return of persons and assets sought for such offences, consistent with international obligations and domestic legal systems. The Minister said, the accused take shelter in foreign countries and conceal the proceeds of crime in complex legal structures spread over different countries and jurisdictions. He said, the gaps and weaknesses of international cooperation in this area are fully exploited by such fugitives to their advantage.

Dr Singh conveyed India’s appreciation to all the countries who are taking this fight ahead in the right direction by intensifying efforts, sustaining political commitment and decisive action, at all levels, against preventing and combating corruption by way of endorsing the United Nations Political declaration. He said, India provides Mutual Legal Assistance to widest possible extent and it has strengthened its domestic law and widened the scope for international co-operation.The Minister said that India has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and the motto of the Government is minimum government, maximum governance with emphasis on transparency and citizen centricity.