India 3 March 2011

Mr. President, allow me also to welcome Ambassador Kwon of ROK to our midst and assure him on behalf of Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao the full cooperation of the Indian delegation as he begins to discharge his duties.

I would like to offer some brief remarks on the FMCT also in light of the detailed report presented by the Australian PR on the deliberations at the side event on FMCT held last month for which we thank him.

As stated in our statement at the CD Plenary of 17 February, we have noted that the discussions at the side event are neither negotiations nor pre-negotiations. The objective of the exercise is solely to promote understanding of technical issues and to build confidence and momentum toward FMCT negotiations in the CD on the basis of the Shannon Mandate. We have also noted that all relevant countries were not represented at the event and many of those who participated did not engage substantively. As such the summary of the discussions can only be what it has been stated to be - a personal assessment of the Chair of technical discussions that took place within the constraints of the forum and its format, and which is without prejudice to the substantive positions of delegations on the subject of definitions relevant to the FMCT. Options and dialability of options is good but when we start to channel them into two-dimensional tables, we already begin a process of political selection from among technical options, a task best left to negotiations.

Mr. President, as stated in our intervention of 3 February there is no change in India's position of support for commencement of FMCT negotiations in the CD as part of an agreed Programme of Work. This is without prejudice to the priority we attach to nuclear disarmament. While India can continue to participate in discussions on the FMCT in the CD Plenary or in side events outside, these can neither substitute formal FMCT negotiations in a subsidiary body in the CD in accordance with its rules of procedure nor can they be binding on delegations. On FMCT issues, as with any other matter that pertains to its national security, India cannot be expected to be bound by documents to which it has not given its full consent.

Finally, with regard to the issues raised by you at the beginning of our meeting, we are fortunate in not having to start from scratch. The three times this forum has come close to beginning negotiations on an FMCT it has been on that basis of that accumulated acquis.

We are stating our position in the plenary so that it can be reflected in the records of the Conference. I thank you.