Chair,
India congratulates you on chairing this important Meeting of Experts of the Protocol V of the CCW. We assure you of the full support of our delegation.
India is fully committed to the CCW and is a signatory to all the five protocols of the CCW. India, as an original signatory to Protocol V, is deeply aware of the grave humanitarian concerns caused by the ERW and is fully committed to cooperation and assistance towards its full implementation.
India’s efforts to implement its obligations under the Protocol V are contained in our National Annual Reports, which are submitted in a timely manner. International cooperation and assistance, in the implementation of Protocol V is an area to which we attach high priority. We have contributed towards capacity building, victim assistance and victim rehabilitation and are ready to provide assistance upon request.
As a major troop contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Missions, India actively participates in activities that include removal and deactivation of IEDs and demining assistance, wherever required. Our ratification of the Convention on Right of Persons with Disabilities underscores the importance we attach to victim assistance.
India for Humanity initiative, launched as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, has conducted 25 limb fitment camps in 21 countries with over 12722 artificial limbs fitted since 2018. The prosthetic limb, popularly known as Jaipur Foot, has gained recognition worldwide for its efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness. The Programme has now been extended up to31 March 2024. Six camps are planned this year, of which 3 are ongoing in Iraq, Ethiopia and Mongolia, while camps for Sri Lanka, Somalia and Papua New Guinea will be held soon.
India presently does not have any Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). Our military engineers are well-trained and equipped for clearance and destruction of the ERW. Detailed SOPs are in place for marking and clearance of the ERW which include, prioritization of areas requiring clearance, identification of risk zones, liaison with civilian authorities, educating the civil populace, providing medical support and provision of fencing with posters and danger signs, in ERW risk zones.
Chair,
My delegation believes that conflict between State and non-State actors cannot be ruled out, both at present or in the future. The weapons and weapons system are increasing in both lethality and complexity, along with disruptive advancements in technology. The challenges for removal of ERW, in our opinion, have aggravated and will further aggravate, when compared to present conventional munitions.
This will necessitate States to work together to address the challenges for better management of ERW, including by sharing associated techniques, technology and practices.
In addition, States should adhere, to the extent feasible and practicable, to voluntary reporting, mapping of contaminated areas, dynamic updating of the database and maintaining real time sanitization record of the clearance efforts, which would also help in mitigating the threats of ERW.
We believe that the universalization of Protocol V should continue to be a priority. This would make a meaningful difference in addressing the humanitarian impact of Explosive Remnants of War.
Chair,
I would like to share that the Permanent Mission of India to the Conference on Disarmament will organize a side event on 4th September 2024, from 13:15 – 14:30 hours, in Room No. XXVI, on the sidelines of our meetings.
The side event aims to highlight the activities carried out by the Horizon Group, an Indian NGO for post-conflict environment management, around the globe to address the risks of landmines and the contamination caused by explosive remnants of war.
The invite for the side-event, including the synopsis and the program has been already shared with all delegations via e-mail. We look forward to seeing all delegations attend the side-event.
