The recent announcements by CBIC Chairman Sanjay Agarwal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman signify a pivotal moment in India’s efforts to combat illegal trade and enhance customs enforcement.
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The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman, Sanjay Agarwal, announced that India’s customs authorities are actively deploying cutting-edge technologies, including big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and image analytics, to detect fraud and combat illegal trade.
Speaking at the ‘Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters’ organized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Agarwal emphasized that the Indian customs administration is blending domain expertise with innovative technology to effectively manage cargo-related risks and ensure compliance.
They are implementing a curated, risk-based approach to process and mitigate identified risks associated with customs declarations while striving to maintain a balance between enforcement and facilitation.
Agarwal also pointed out the persistence of illegal trade in narcotics, highlighting that global drug trafficking is estimated to be worth $650 billion, contributing approximately 30% to the overall illicit economy.
Given the shifting landscape of smuggling, tax evasion, commercial fraud, and trade-based money laundering, especially in the post-COVID era, there is an urgent need for robust international cooperation and adaptability to evolving scenarios.
Agarwal stressed the importance of working collectively to defeat transnational syndicates, requiring continuous cooperation and coordination with both national and international enforcement agencies.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, also present at the event, emphasized the importance of Customs officers utilizing technology and sharing information and actionable intelligence with domestic and international agencies to deter illicit trade and transnational syndicates.
She placed strong emphasis on intergovernmental cooperation, including collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), to uncover and combat the masterminds behind smuggling.
Additionally, Sitharaman launched Phase-IV of ‘Operation Sesha,’ conducted by Indian Customs in partnership with RILO (Regional Intelligence Liaison Office) Asia-Pacific and RILO Middle-East, aimed at curbing the illegal trade of timber.
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