Statement by India for High-Level Panel Discussion
on the 25th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
24 February 2026
Mr. President,
We thank the distinguished panellists for their presentations. India welcomes this important and timely discussion. We reiterate our longstanding and principled stand that racism and racial discrimination are fundamentally incompatible with the core values that bind humanity -equality, justice, peace, and progress.
The 25th anniversary is a moment to reflect on progress since the 2001 World Conference against Racism and to acknowledge the continued persistence of racism today. The notion of racial superiority that underpinned colonialism inflicted profound suffering across continents. It was this injustice that shaped the early struggle of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, inspiring a global movement for dignity, equality and non‑discrimination. That legacy continues to guide India’s unwavering commitment to combating racism in all its forms.
The Constitution of India upholds equality as a core constitutional value and unequivocally prohibits discrimination on the basis of race.
India has consistently emphasized that the full and effective implementation of the DDPA requires a comprehensive approach: strengthening national frameworks through robust anti‑discrimination laws and effective access to justice; promoting education and social cohesion to foster tolerance and respect for diversity; enhancing international cooperation to address harmful online content and the spread of racial hatred; and advancing the implementation of ICERD while mobilizing resources for inclusive development aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
India reaffirms its commitment to constructive engagement in the Intergovernmental Working Group and all relevant UN processes, including the elaboration of the draft UN declaration on the human rights of people of African descent.
We hope that this important panel discussion helps renew the collective political will of the international community towards building a world where racism has no place.
Thank you
