Thank you, Mr. President,

Since this is the first time I take the floor, I would like to compliment you on the extremely skillful way in which you are conducting this difficult task. It should not actually be a difficult task.

Today’s discussion, on gender and the rules of procedure of the Conference on Disarmament, is an extremely important one.  But, as my distinguished colleague from Sweden has said this will not change facts on the ground. The facts on the ground are that women in some countries in our part of the world are being forced to wear burqas and are not allowed to show their faces.

My delegation generally prefers progressive legislation and progressive language in UN documentation and will not come in the way of consensus.

I am also forced, very briefly and most reluctantly, to respond to the comments made by my very distinguished and very capable friend from Pakistan.
I will just make four points about his statement:

1. India is a democracy. Our Defence Minister has made a statement in Parliament on this issue. The important of a statement in Parliament will be appreciated by functioning democracies.
2. The incident that he referred to is regretted
3. An inquiry is being conducted
4.  A review of relevant Standard Operating Procedure is being conducted.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.