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Context:

India is included in the Steering Committee of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP).

About Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP)

It is an informal cooperative network of experts and practitioners to track and seize criminal assets across borders in the Asia-Pacific region. 

It was officially launched at the inaugural meeting held in Seoul, South Korea in November 2013.

It is a part of a larger framework called Global CARIN (Camden Assets Recovery Inter-Agency Network), which includes over 100 jurisdictions worldwide. 

CARIN (Camden Assets Recovery Inter-Agency Network) It is an informal network of law enforcement and judicial practitioners specializing in asset tracking, freezing, seizure, and confiscating. It operates as an interagency network with each member state represented by a law enforcement officer and a judicial expert, such as a prosecutor or investigating judge, depending on the legal system.

It has 28 member countries and 9 observers, and it focuses on combating cross-border financial crimes including money laundering, corruption and asset recovery. 

The Secretariat is located in South Korea.

India’s Role and Its Significance

India, through the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has joined ARIN-AP's Steering Committee. It influences the network's decisions and operations. 

By joining the committee, India will play an active role in shaping the strategies, sharing best practices and Improving regional cooperation on asset recovery. 

India to assume ARIN-AP’s Presidency in 2026, this opportunity will provide India a leadership role, and also provide a stronger influence over regional policies on asset recovery. 

India to host the ARIN-AP Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2026, it will be an opportunity to highlight progress in combating economic crimes and strengthen its position as a global player in financial law enforcement. 

How ARIN-AP Works?

It is structured to promote easy communication and data sharing among its members. It worked through contact points in each jurisdiction which allow informal information exchange on criminal activities and assets.

It speeds up the asset recovery process by allowing agencies to track assets, both removable and immovable, without waiting for formal legal agreements. For example, if India needs to track assets linked to an economic crime in another member country, the ED can request information informally through the network before Initiating formal actions through bilateral or multilateral treaties.

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ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE

Source: 

The Hindu

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Enforcement Directorate

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the ARIN-AP: 1. It is a cooperative network designed to track and seize criminal assets across borders in the Asia Pacific region.  2. It is part of the framework of Global CARIN. 3. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France.  How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP) is an informal network of experts and practitioners in asset tracing, freezing and confiscation in the Asia-Pacific region. Statement 2 is correct: ARIN-AP is a part of a larger framework called Global CARIN (Camden Assets Recovery Inter-Agency Network), it is an informal network of law enforcement and judicial practitioners in asset tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation.  Statement 3 is incorrect:  The Secretariat of ARIN-AP is located in South Korea.