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UK candidate for next Interpol Secretary General visits India

Stephen Kavanagh

British High Commission New Delhi

15 Apr 2024

Stephen Kavanagh arrived in New Delhi for high-level meetings with the Indian government to discuss the future of international crime-fighting.

Stephen Kavanagh, the current Executive Director of Policing Services of INTERPOL, arrived in New Delhi today for high level meetings with the Indian government to discuss the future of international crime-fighting.


Mr. Kavanagh began his trip with a visit to India Gate, before holding bilateral meetings with senior Indian government representatives, including Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood. At the CBI headquarters, they exchanged views on tackling law enforcement challenges and increasing cooperation between countries.


They spoke about the need for deeper international co-operation to counter terrorism, as well as to combat drug smugglers and technology enabled crime, including the safe use of artificial intelligence.


On his visit to India, Stephen Kavanagh said:

"India is a critical partner for INTERPOL, whose agencies have been at the forefront in tackling multi-dimensional criminal activities at the global level.


"Should I be elected as the Secretary General of INTERPOL, I would work with members to drive an increase in data and analysis, delivering operational successes against drugs, cyber and crimes against wildlife and the environment. My vision for INTERPOL is underpinned by principles that I believe in strongly: impact through the delivery of tangible operational outcomes, innovation to outsmart criminality, working inclusively and openly for all our member countries, and serving always with integrity, humility, and professionalism."


Further information

  • Free to use high resolution images will be available on Flickr here.

  • Stephen currently serves as the Executive Director of Police Services (EDPS) at INTERPOL, leading on all of INTERPOL’s global crime programmes for its 196 countries, with special responsibility for cyber-crime, financial crime and anti-corruption, counter terrorism, organised and emerging crime, global outreach, and analysis.

  • In his current role, Stephen coordinated the counter narcotics operation Garuda with the CBI in 2022 and operation Megh Chakra the same year, shutting down scam centres and supporting India’s ongoing work tackling child sexual abuse. He is deeply committed to increasing Indian representation at INTERPOL, attending the No Money for Terror initiatives, and committing INTERPOL resource to better tackling India’s top crime priorities.

  • India has been at the forefront of global law enforcement initiatives under the INTERPOL banner, notably hosting the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly in 2022.

  • The UK supports Stephen Kavanagh’s candidacy for the next Secretary General at INTERPOL, the only police organisation with a global mandate that supports law enforcement efforts across its 196 member countries. Kavanagh has an unparalleled understanding of the challenges facing INTERPOL and the action that needs to be taken to better deliver for global security.

  • In the face of changing global crime threats, INTERPOL’s mission and role has never been more important. Outside of a spotless record of operational delivery including overseeing INTERPOL’s largest ever coordinated firearms operation and transnational drug seizure, human trafficking, fraud and CT operations co-ordinated with the police forces of multiple nations, Kavanagh has delivered new INTERPOL task forces, particularly on financial and economic crime, improved regional representation, and has developed a close partnership with UNICEF to help safeguard children around the world. He is deeply committed to tackling new and emerging threats like environmental crime.

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