To conclude the two-week ITEC Training on “New Frontiers in Combating Financial & Economic Crimes: Towards Global Financial Security,” a Valedictory Ceremony was held on July 23, 2024, at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Lavad. This ITEC training program hosted 30 officials from 16 different countries. The Valedictory Ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Pravin Sinha (IPS) Retd., Special Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat, Government of India & INTERPOL Executive Committee Member; Mr. Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, DPA-II & DPA-IV, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Mr. Mohamed Najeel, Chargé D’Affaires, High Commission of the Maldives; Mr. Ahmad Tijani Olayiwola Lawal, Minister Counsellor, Head of Political Affairs, Nigeria High Commission, New Delhi, India; Dr. Shishir Kumar Gupta, Registrar, Rashtriya Raksha University; and Mr. Sushil Goswami, University Dean, Rashtriya Raksha University.

Assistant Professor of Law, Ms. Nomita Mishra, presented the event report for the ITEC Capacity Training Program. Officials from sixteen countries participated in this event, with 31 different resource persons delivering lectures. The program included both theoretical and practical training for the participants, covering topics such as cyber security, financial crimes, forensic accounting, human trafficking, probity in public procurement, implications of shell companies on financial security, organized crime, terror funding, and money laundering. The training methodology adopted included theoretical lectures and case study analysis for a comprehensive understanding of the themes. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between RRU and NSE IX and NSEICC.

Mr. Pravin Sinha (IPS) Retd., Special Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat, Government of India & INTERPOL Executive Committee Member, shared his experiences investigating financial frauds throughout his distinguished career. He emphasized the challenges faced by law enforcers due to differing jurisdictions, laws, and procedures, which criminals exploit. He stressed the importance of effective cooperation between law enforcers and the necessity of establishing both formal and informal channels of communication. Real-time communication and response are crucial and depend on the level of trust among member countries. Programs like the ITEC Capacity Building significantly contribute to building this trust.

Mr. Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, DPA-II & DPA-IV, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, delivered the valedictory address for the event. He highlighted the history of the ITEC Program, initiated in the early 1960s to develop the human capacity of India’s partner developing countries. He congratulated the participants on their learnings over the past two weeks, noting that the program is designed not only for personal training but also to empower individuals to transfer the knowledge gained to their home countries. He underscored the importance of curbing financial crimes in an increasingly interconnected world.

Certificates were distributed to the participants by the dignitaries present. Following this, participants shared their experiences of the ITEC Capacity Building Program, expressing gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs, India, the organizers at RRU Gandhinagar, and their fellow participants. They highlighted that the theoretical and practical knowledge gained regarding global best practices in curbing financial crimes has equipped them to better tackle these crimes in their jurisdictions.

Dr. Dimple T. Raval, Director, School of Criminal Law and Military Law, RRU, delivered the final vote of thanks. She thanked the resource persons for their insightful lectures on financial and economic crimes and thanked the International Cooperation and Relations Branch for their support during the training. Dr. Raval also expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

CB/GP/JD

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