Goa, Aug. 4 -- India has successfully brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries since 2021, marking a significant increase in extradition and deportation efforts aimed at tackling terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud and other serious offences, the Centre said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the government has made the return of fugitives a national priority by combining legal reforms, intelligence sharing, international cooperation and technology-based tracking systems to pursue criminals hiding abroad.

According to the ministry, the campaign targets individuals wanted for offences including terrorism, organised crime, narcotics trafficking, cyber fraud, financial crimes, murder, r...