Mr Chairman,

We thank you for your leadership in steering the work of this Group. We are in very good hands and my delegation lends its fullest support to your efforts and will engage constructively.

We would also like to thank you for the work done by you and your team in focusing the attention of this group through the guiding questions that you circulated in the last session, the rolling text that you have circulated in this session, and for the inter sessional consultations. We also support the manner in which you have structured the discussions.

India acknowledges that emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems raise challenges and concerns. India is committed to addressing these challenges.

My delegation reiterates that emerging technologies have transformational effects on reducing poverty and improving the lives of all people This is particularly relevant in the case of developing countries. The stigmatization of such technologies should be avoided.

We believe that the CCW is the appropriate forum for addressing the challenges posed by emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems.

This GGE should build on its previous work. We believe that its accomplishments are considerable.

We have already stated that we can support a politically binding instrument based on the Guiding Principles. We believe that these Guiding Principles and previous reports contain a powerful norm - that emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems are not exempt from the prohibitions, restrictions and limitations that are contained in international humanitarian law.

Without downplaying the legitimate ethical questions that arise from emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems, India also supports the view that, in general, emerging technologies have the potential of actually improving compliance with international humanitarian law.

It is also important for all parties to acknowledge that High Contracting Parties inhabit differing security realities. Discussions on possible measures should endeavor to find common ground by taking into account the concerns of all.

We have always maintained that consensus on characterization and definitions of these weapon systems must be the priority of this Group.

India welcomes Singapore to the CCW.