Smuggling’s shadow looms large over global trade, prompting FICCI CASCADE Chairman Anil Rajput to demand United Nations recognition of February 11 as ‘International Anti-Smuggling Day.’ This strategic designation would rally nations for heightened vigilance and joint operations.
Rajput minced no words in his interview: smuggling is rampant worldwide, demanding a unified response. ‘February 11 offers the perfect platform for global awareness and action against this scourge,’ he asserted, drawing parallels to successful international days.
Spotlight fell on a pivotal FICCI CASCADE forum in Delhi, underscoring India’s vanguard role. Forty-two mutual assistance pacts with customs authorities are active, complemented by 21 active talks with trade giants, weaving a tighter enforcement web.
Delivering the keynote, CBIC’s Mohan Kumar Singh championed intelligence-led disruptions over mere confiscations. ‘Strike at the heart: financial pipelines, logistical pillars, and illicit global partnerships,’ he directed, framing smuggling as a tech-savvy organized peril to stability.
Budget innovations like AI-enhanced imaging and broader port inspections will amplify capabilities, Singh noted, while GST and tariff streamlining curbs evasion temptations.
Q1-Q3 seizures painted a victory canvas: 500 kg gold, 150 million cigarette packs, 20+ tons red sanders wood, 120 kg cocaine. Aerial hauls comprised 50 kg heroin, 350 kg amphetamines, 3,700 kg lab-grown cannabis.
With India’s enforcement engine roaring, Rajput’s February 11 proposal beckons the UN to lead a worldwide charge, ensuring smugglers face a united front.