Kolkata, Mar 22 (Representative) The Central Bureau of Investigation and Europol have signed a “Working Arrangement” establishing cooperative relationsbetween the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of India and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), theCBI said in a statement.The Working Arrangement was signed by Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director Europol, and Director of CBI Praveen Sood on March 21 (Thursday).The signing was concluded in a virtual event simultaneously in New Delhi and the Hague with the presence of senior CBI and Europol officials. “This arrangement promotes direct cooperation between both organizations to build on their respective mandates, and strategies and to explore the potential for synergies,” it added. Sood appreciated the collaborative spirit demonstrated by both parties. “This working arrangement is an outcome of years of negotiation between CBI and Europol to reach this common ground. This moment marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance cooperation between our agencies.” He further highlighted that “The international dispersal of crimes, criminals and proceeds of crimes have necessitated the need for expeditious international cooperation. Criminal networks operate across borders, exploiting differences in jurisdictions and taking advantage of modern technologies to evade detection.
The arrangement we signed today reflects our shared commitment to address these challenges through enhanced cooperation and mutual assistance,” the CBI director said.Executive Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security challenges. She stated, “In an increasingly globalised world, the security of the European Union starts abroad. Security challenges have become more complex, and multidimensional. There is nowadays a strong link between what happens outside of the EU’s borders and security within Europe. The Working Arrangement that Europol has signed today with the CBI underscores the interconnected nature of security threats and the necessity of international cooperation to effectively address them. By joining forces with India, Europol further solidifies the EU’s commitment to proactive and comprehensive security measures, recognising that safeguarding our citizens requires a coordinated effort on a global scale.” This working arrangement not only brings together CBI and Europol but also enables wide cooperation between all law enforcement agencies in India and all law enforcement agencies of 27 European countries that Europol represents as well as third countries and organizations associated with Europol. This will enhance cooperation in jointly tackling various forms of crime inter alia including organized crime, financial crimes, frauds, corruption, terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, environmental crimes, illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiquities and works of art etc.
It establishes clear mechanisms for communication, cooperation, and collaboration, ensuring that respective law enforcement agencies can seamlessly collaborate, share best practices, and support each other. This Working arrangement is very comprehensive and includes 26 detailed articles enumerating modalities for wide-ranging cooperation in over 30 different crime categories. The cooperation, in addition to the exchange of information, may include the exchange of specialist knowledge, general situation reports, results of strategic analysis, participation in training activities as well as providing advice and support in individual criminal investigations. CBI is the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India and coordinates assistance for all law enforcement agencies in India via INTERPOL channels. CBI is also a member of the GloBE international network of anti-corruption agencies. It may be recalled that earlier this month, the CBI and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Mauritius, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance all-round cooperation in combating corruption, money laundering, and related crimes.This partnership with Europol reflects the commitment to international cooperation in law enforcement and underscores the value of collaborative efforts in addressing the complexities of modern-day crime.