Context: Recently, the Indian delegation attended the 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.

About 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna

• Centennial Celebration: 2023 commemorates Interpol’s 100-year anniversary, a significant milestone in international law enforcement.
• Hosted in Vienna: The special General Assembly takes place in Vienna, Austria, acknowledging the city’s historical significance as Interpol’s birthplace in 1923.

Indian Delegation at 91st Interpol General Assembly

• Denial of Safe Havens: India advocates that Interpol member countries deny safe havens to criminals and the proceeds of crime.
• Deportation and Extradition Success: India celebrates the achievement of deporting or extraditing 24 criminals and fugitives using Interpol channels.
• Increased Cooperation Against Transnational Threats: To enhance coordination through Interpol channels to combat organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, online radicalization, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
  • The collective effort seeks to prevent these crimes in real time, showcasing a commitment to proactive security measures.
• Support for Interpol Initiatives: India expressed support for Interpol’s Vision 2030 and the creation of the Interpol Future Council.

What is the Interpol?

• The International Criminal Police Organization is an inter-governmental organization with 195 member countries.
  • Goal: Help police in all member countries work together to make the world safer.
  • Function: It enables members to share and access data on crimes and criminals, offering technical and operational support.
• India and Interpol: India joined Interpol in 1949 and is one of its oldest members.
• Red Notice (Wanted Persons): A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 
• Other Notices by Interpol:
  • Yellow: Missing persons
  • Blue: Additional information
  • Black Notice: Unidentified bodies
  • Green Notice: Warnings and intelligence
  • Orange notice: Imminent threat
  • Purple Notice: Modus operandi

What are the key highlights of India’s engagement with Interpol?

• CBI’s Central Role: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, coordinating international police cooperation for Indian law enforcement via Interpol channels.
• Engagement: India hosted the 90th Interpol General Assembly in Delhi (October 2022).
  • Key Resolutions and Initiatives: The assembly passed resolutions strengthening collaborative responses against financial crime, corruption, and online child sexual exploitation.
• Global Influence:
  • During the Delhi Session, Interpol released its first global crime trend report, solidifying India’s influence in shaping international crime-fighting strategies.
• Leadership Programs and Training Hub:
  • In 2023, India hosted the Interpol Young Global Police Leaders program, attracting participation from 44 countries.
  • The CBI Academy joined the Interpol Global Academy Network, to emerge as a global training hub for Interpol.

News Source: The Hindu