Why in News?

In a significant diplomatic and security development, India has been elected as a member of the INTERPOL Asian Committee during the 25th Asian Regional Conference held in Singapore. This achievement underscores India's growing leadership in global law enforcement and its commitment to reinforcing security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Key Points

• Historic Election: The election took place on September 19, 2025, through a multi-stage voting process.
• Significance: India’s membership will enhance regional cooperation in combating critical security challenges such as organised crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
• Representation: The Indian delegation to the conference was led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which serves as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol in India.
• Advisory Role: The committee advises the Asian Regional Conference, identifying strategic priorities and operational issues in the fight against crime across the region.

Important Terms

• Interpol: The International Criminal Police Organization, an intergovernmental organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
• Asian Regional Conference: An annual meeting of Interpol member countries from the Asian region to deliberate on regional security issues.
• National Central Bureau (NCB): A designated law enforcement agency in each member country that serves as the national point of contact for Interpol. The CBI is India's NCB.