Indian media terms Pakistan’s expected exit from FATF grey list a ‘setback’ for India

• Pakistan was cleared of 14 points out of 27 at the Asia Pacific Group meeting held in Beijing, China from January 21 to January 23.
• Pakistani delegation has succeeded in convincing FATF that the bank accounts of 9 terrorist organizations, including several Taliban leaders has been frozen.

Indian media has acknowledged the possibility of Pakistan’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 'grey list', even terming it a 'setback' for India.  

A number of Indian media outlets are admitting that Pakistan has succeeded in convincing Global Watchdog that it has implemented measures to stop terrorism financing.

“There is a definite softening of the western position on Pakistan. China has pushed to get Pakistan off the hook at the FATF and will continue to make efforts in the next meeting,” reported Times of India.

Meanwhile, the Indian Express reported that if Pakistan could convince a few Western nations with their report of taking action against terrorists, the country will be out of FATF 'Grey List', will be 'a cause of worry for India'.

Pakistan was cleared of 14 points out of 27 at the Asia Pacific Group meeting held in Beijing, China from January 21 to January 23. As per details, the Pakistani delegation lead by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar has succeeded in convincing FATF that the bank accounts of 9 terrorist organizations, including several Taliban leaders has been frozen.

Several Indian politicians express their concern over the development. “The US and China have decided to get Pakistan off the FATF “Grey List” instead of upgrading to  “Black List” —notified Terrorist Nation. This is a huge setback for India if it happens. Modi should hold a review then to discover why we are sliding down in international stature,” tweeted BJP Rajya Sabha MP, Subramanian Swamy.

?The US and China have decided to get Pakistan off the FATF “Grey List” instead of upgrading to  “Black List” —notified Terrorist Nation. This is a huge set back for India if it happens. Namo should hold a review then to discover why we are sliding down in international stature

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) 24 January 2020

China and the United States too have appreciated Pakistan for its measures implemented against anti money laundering and terror financing.

“Pakistan has made all-out efforts to strengthen domestic CFT regime with visible progress. Its political will and active efforts should be recognized and encouraged by the international community. We hope FATF will offer Pakistan constructive support and assistance in its continued efforts to improve its counter-terrorism financing system and effectively fight terrorist financing," said China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang.

Earlier, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells appreciated Pakistan's ‘significant progress' made on the measures in compliance with FATF action plan in ‘quite a short period of time', said the Interior Ministry.

Pakistan fate will be decided at a meeting to be held in Paris on February 16. Pakistan needs 12 out of 39 votes to exit the grey list and enter the white list.