Statement by Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Permanent Representative of India to the CD, on Agenda Items 5, 6 and 7, Geneva Statement by Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Permanent Representative of India to the CD, on Agenda Items 5, 6 and 7, Geneva
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Statement by Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Permanent Representative of India to the CD, on Agenda Items 5, 6 and 7, Geneva

Statement by Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Permanent Representative of India to the CD On Agenda Items 5, 6 and 7 Geneva – August 14, 2012

Mr. President,

This is the first time that my delegation takes the floor under your presidency and I would like to begin by congratulating you on assuming the presidency of the CD. We appreciate your transparent and thoughtful leadership and assure you of our full support in your endeavour. Let me also welcome our new colleagues from Finland, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Mr. President,

Allow me now to recapitulate briefly India's positions on the three agenda items under discussion today.

On Agenda Item 5 i.e. "New types of WMDs and new systems of such weapons; radiological weapons", let me recall that the issue of radiological weapons has been on the agenda of the CD since 1979, following the General Assembly's call in 1978 for concluding a Convention prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons. The issue was considered in Ad Hoc Working Groups during 1980-83 and in Ad Hoc committees between 1984-1992. In recent years it has been part of discussions in the informal and formal meetings on the items on the CD agenda.

Proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery is a major challenge facing the international community. In this context and as a victim of terrorism we are fully cognizant of the catastrophic danger that transfers of WMDs to non-State actors and terrorists could entail. To increase international awareness on the need for concerted action against the threat posed by terrorists acquiring WMDs India has been tabling a resolution entitled "Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction" in the General Assembly since 2002. The resolution is adopted by the UNGA by consensus and a large number of Member States co-sponsor the resolution. Mr. President, the delegation of France tables the resolution "Preventing the acquisition by terrorists of radioactive materials and sources" in the General Assembly, which we support.

A number of other measures have been taken by the international community to protect and secure nuclear and radiological materials. The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism requires State Parties to adopt measures to establish as criminal acts the offences set forth in the Convention. The IAEA has taken steps to improve the regulatory framework for nuclear security. The Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material has been strengthened as also the Code of Conduct for Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. UN Security Council Resolution 1540, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Security Summit have also played an important role in this context. India participates in these processes and has contributed to them.

We believe that the CD should continue consideration of its Agenda Item 5 with a view to achieving one or more international instruments that would address the threat posed by new types of WMDs, including radiological weapons.

On Agenda Item 6 i.e. "Comprehensive Programme of Disarmament", we note that SSOD-I stressed that the implementation of priorities set by it should lead to general and complete disarmament under effective international control, which is the ultimate goal of all efforts exerted in the field of disarmament. We believe that the intent of this agenda item is to elaborate a programme which would place specific measures relating to disarmament into a carefully considered plan, setting out objectives, priorities and timeframes with a view to disarmament being achieved on a progressive basis. A comprehensive programme would consider not only nuclear disarmament, which remains the highest priority, but also other weapons and weapon systems which are crucial for maintaining international peace and security. The principles of a Comprehensive Programme of Disarmament should be universally applicable and relevant. In this regard, the CD would play an important role as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum with the mandate to negotiate legally binding instruments of global applicability. Through this the central role and primary responsibility of the UN in the sphere of disarmament in accordance with its Charter would be strengthened.

On Agenda Item 7, i.e. "Transparency in Armaments", we believe that transparency is a necessary tool for confidence building and enhancing mutual trust among States. As with other CBMs, measures to promote transparency in armaments should be mutually agreed upon by all States; only then would it be able to secure the widest possible participation of States and contribute effectively to the process of confidence building. Measures to enhance transparency in armaments must also respect the inherent right of States to self-defence as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Such measures cannot restrict or prejudice the legitimate right of States to acquire or produce arms for self-defence and in pursuit of their foreign policy and national security interests.

The two major instruments promoting transparency in armaments are the UN Register on Conventional Arms and the UN Standardized Instrument for Reporting Military Expenditures. India has supported the UN Register on Conventional Arms as an important global CBM and has regularly submitted national reports to the Register on the export and import of conventional arms. India has also participated actively and constructively in the three-yearly reviews of the Register. India would support efforts for further improving the Register along with efforts towards universalizing participation in it. India has also supported the resolution on objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditure. India also contributed to the work of the GGE on the Standardized Instrument for Reporting Military Expenditures held in 2011. India has submitted its national reports to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. We support the continuing consideration of this agenda item by the CD.

Thank you.