India will always support any effort to improve Working Methods in the multilateral system including in the First Committee.

We would however like to point out that there is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to working methods and rules of procedure. The multilateral system, and the United Nations within it, has many parts with many different functions. Working methods and rules of procedure have evolved to fit the purpose of each part of the system. Different parts of the Disarmament Machinery, within which the First Committee is located, for example, follow their own unique working methods that reflect the individual function assigned to each component of the Machinery.

We would also like to point out that this Committee of the General Assembly, as its name implies, is the First and in a certain sense, the oldest committee of the Assembly. Its Rules of Procedure and Working Methods, as they exist currently, have evolved to help it discharge its functions.

This is, in theory, a committee where the powerful and those less so, meet as equals to discuss the core business of the United Nations - the preservation of peace.

International peace and security involve recognizing and reconciling differences in points of view and interests. It also involves nation states with varying levels of national power and influence.

The working methods of this committee, and that of the other parts of the Disarmament Machinery created by SSOD-1, have developed over decades to accommodate this reality.

The Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission, with their differing methods of constitution and functions, have adopted consensus. This Committee has adopted working methods that are meant to strike a balance between promoting transparency and the confidentiality that allows Member States, irrespective of their size of influence, to freely engage on critical issues relating to their national security without fear or pressure.

Requiring disclosure might create transparency but might also stifle dissent, particularly on the part of those who are less powerful.

Secrecy is not unknown in voting systems. After all, all modern elections are based on the principle of secrecy of individual votes.

The work of this Committee is already highly politicized. My delegation is of the view that the proposed change could further politicize the work of this committee and might shift the focus to procedural rather than substantive matters.

My delegation reiterates that it shares the objective of improving the working methods of this committee. It would, however, for the reasons that we have detailed in our statement, like to advise caution in modifying or altering the existing Working Methods or Rules of Procedure.