Daily Current Affairs - May 24th, 2025
India’s Push for Pakistan’s Re-listing on the FATF Grey List
Introduction
India has decided to submit a detailed dossier to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), urging the re-inclusion of Pakistan in the grey list during the upcoming June 2025 plenary session. This move is part of India’s broader strategy to use multilateral platforms to combat cross-border terrorism and ensure international compliance with anti-terror norms.
About FATF and the Grey List
- FATF: The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental body established to develop policies for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
- Grey List Significance:Countries on the grey list are subjected to increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering and terrorism financing. This status can lead to economic consequences and loss of investor confidence.
Pakistan’s Past and Current Position with FATF
- Grey Listing (2018–2022):Pakistan was placed on the grey list in 2018 for failing to act effectively against terror financing.
- Removal and Conditional Compliance:In 2022, Pakistan was removed from the list after committing to key reforms, including the enactment of an anti-terror law.
- India’s Allegation of Non-Compliance:India contends that Pakistan has failed to fulfill its commitments, specifically by not enacting the promised legislation, which justifies its re-listing.
India’s Strategic Objectives
- Diplomatic Leverage:India aims to internationalize the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
- Economic Consequences:Grey listing would restrict Pakistan’s access to global financial markets and aid.
- Policy Continuity:This move aligns with India’s consistent diplomatic posture of zero tolerance toward terrorism.
Impact of Grey Listing on Pakistan
- Financial Impact:Increased difficulty in securing loans from international institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
- Reputational Damage:Deterioration of global image, leading to reduced foreign investment.
- Internal Policy Pressure:Compels Pakistan to take genuine legal and administrative action against terrorism financing networks.
Foreign Policy and Regional Security
- Ensuring Regional Stability:By seeking Pakistan’s grey listing, India aims to curb terrorist networks that threaten South Asian peace.
- Strengthening India’s Global Image:Demonstrates India’s commitment to global norms and leadership in counterterrorism diplomacy.
Conclusion
India’s move to push for Pakistan’s re-listing on the FATF grey list is a reflection of its strategic and proactive foreign policy. By engaging with international institutions, India seeks to enhance regional security, promote accountability, and strengthen the global counter-terrorism architecture. As multilateral diplomacy becomes increasingly important in securing national interests, India’s initiative underlines the importance of rule-based global governance.
NITI Aayog’s Vision 2047: Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat
Introduction:
The 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister on May 24, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, aims to shape India’s roadmap to becoming a developed nation by 2047. With the theme ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’, this meeting underscores the pivotal role of states in achieving national development.
The Vision: States as Building Blocks
NITI Aayog’s theme, ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat’, emphasizes the need for states to act as catalysts for national growth. It calls for states to leverage their unique geographic and demographic strengths to craft inclusive, bold, and long-term visions. These visions must align with national priorities while addressing local realities.
The strategy envisions:
- Time-Bound Targets:Clear milestones for development goals.
- Data-Driven Governance:Technology-enabled policymaking for better transparency and efficiency.
- Outcome-Oriented Approaches:Ensuring measurable progress in development.
- Sustainability:Focus on green economies and governance reforms to balance growth with environmental preservation.
Key Themes for Discussion
Building on the outcomes of the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries (December 2024), the meeting will focus on six critical areas:
- Creating enabling Ecosystem – focus on Tier 2, 3 cities: Manufacturing;
- Creating enabling Ecosystem – focus on Tier 2, 3 cities: Services;
- MSME & Informal Employment: Rural Non-Farm;
- MSME & Informal Employment: Urban;
- Opportunities in Green Economy: Renewable Energy; and
- Opportunities in Green Economy: Circular Economy
These themes aim to harness India’s demographic dividend while creating opportunities for skilling, entrepreneurship, and employment.
NITI Aayog as a Platform for Collaboration
- The Governing Council meeting brings together Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, and NITI Aayog officials to address the development challenges facing the nation. This forum facilitates consensus-building and cooperative federalism, ensuring states are aligned with the national vision of development.
Conclusion
The ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’ framework reflects NITI Aayog’s commitment to creating a collaborative and inclusive development model. By integrating state-specific aspirations with national priorities, this strategy ensures tangible outcomes at the grassroots level, paving the way for India’s transformation into a developed nation by its centenary year of independence.