Statement by Mr. D.B. Venkatesh Varma, Permanent Representative of India to the CD, at 2013 BWC Meeting of States Parties,

Geneva, December 9, 2013

Madam Chair,

Let me join other colleagues in congratulating you on the assumption of the chair of the BWC Meeting of States Parties for 2013. I am sure that with your vast experience on BWC issues and your diplomatic skills, you would be able to lead this meeting to a successful conclusion. You could be assured of India’s full support in the discharge of your responsibilities. I also congratulate the two Vice Chairs on assuming their posts.

India associates itself with the statement made by the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. As the world mourns the passing of President Nelson Mandela, a strong advocate of world peace and reconciliation, we convey our deepest condolences to the delegation of South Africa.

Madam Chair,

India attaches high importance to the BWC as the first disarmament treaty banning an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. Through this instrument, 170 States Parties to the treaty have pledged never to “develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain”  biological weapons and have committed not to use in any way and under any circumstances biological agents or toxins not consistent with prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes. These important commitments have been reiterated by the successive Review Conferences including the 7th Review Conference in 2011.  

India remains committed to improving the effectiveness of the BWC and strengthening its implementation and universalization. We believe this is necessary in view of the new challenges to international peace and security emanating from proliferation trends, including the threat posed by terrorists or other non-state actors seeking access to biological agents or toxins for terrorist purposes. It is the responsibility of States Parties to ensure that their commitments and obligations under the Convention are fully and effectively implemented. We believe that only a multilaterally agreed mechanism for verification of compliance can provide the assurance of observance of compliance obligations by States Parties and act as a deterrence against non-compliance.

Madam Chair,

We have made a good start to the new inter-sessional process with extensive discussions on the three standing agenda items and the biennial item during the meetings held under your and Algeria’s leadership in the past two years. India has contributed to the success of the Meeting of Experts held in August 2013. We hope that sustained progress on these discussions will be possible during the rest of the inter-sessional period, in keeping with the letter and spirit of the decisions of the 7th Review Conference. We would like to reiterate that the mandate of the current inter-sessional process is to promote common understanding and effective action on the issues on its agenda; any decisions with regard to the operation of the Convention should be taken by the next Review Conference by consensus. Let me now briefly state India's broad position on the issues to be covered in this meeting.

India believes that the standing agenda item on review of S&T developments is important for States Parties to keep pace with the rapid developments in biological science and technology which might impact the implementation of the Convention. It is important that these discussions cover all ongoing high-risk dual use research. For example, it is important to review all ramifications of the recent advancements in scientific understanding related to H5N1, H7N1, H7N9, MERS as well as other BSL 3&4 pathogens. The measures taken to mitigate biological risks should be proportional to the assessed risk and not hamper legitimate peaceful activities including international cooperation. Further, peaceful activities such as vaccine development, which are important for developing countries for meeting their public health needs, should not be unnecessarily highlighted as posing a risk for uses contrary to the provisions of the Convention. India looks forward to continuing discussions on Codes of Conduct and education and awareness raising in order to address issues related to biorisk management. India would also be willing to make a contribution to the discussion on exploring the best way of conducting S&T review under the Convention in the run up to the next Review Conference, recalling the Working Paper submitted by India at the last Review Conference.

India continues to attach high importance to the full and effective implementation of Article X of the Convention. We believe that the measures suggested by the Non-Aligned Movement in its Working Paper submitted at the Meeting of Experts this year should be given due consideration. While legitimate peaceful uses should not be hampered, India is not in favour of unregulated transfers. In this context, we believe that strengthened implementation of Article III would ensure that the cooperation envisaged under Article X is not abused. At the same time it is important that factors like lack of technical capability in developing countries are not used to hamper international cooperation, such as by denying new and advanced technology to developing countries. We look forward to the ISU’s report on the operation of the database established in pursuance of the decision of the 7th Review Conference.

The standing agenda item on national implementation provides a ready platform for States Parties to share and learn from their national experiences in the implementation of the Convention. We have always emphasized the responsibility of States Parties to fully implement their obligations under the Convention and adopt requisite national measures to this end. India has a broad based regulatory framework to prevent the misuse of biological science and technology, including effective export controls matching the highest international standards. We also support assistance to States Parties for strengthening their national systems for bio-safety and bio-security.

On the biennial item regarding CBMs we wish to underline that the effort should be to look at ways and means to increase the number of States Parties making CBMs submissions. Our delegation will be open to looking at constructive suggestions in this regard that could be included in this meeting’s report since this is the last year of consideration of this agenda item. We would like to stress that CBMs are an important transparency measures to enhance trust in implementation of the Convention, but CBMs or voluntary measures for demonstrating national implementation cannot be an alternative to an effective multilaterally agreed mechanism for verification of compliance. Only such a mechanism can provide the assurance of observance of compliance obligations by States Parties and act as a deterrence against non-compliance. India is in the process of finalizing its CBMs submission for 2013 which will be submitted to the ISU shortly.

Madam Chair,

Before concluding, let me place on record our appreciation for your efforts in undertaking wide consultations with various Groups and delegations in preparation of this meeting. We also welcome your efforts for greater involvement of all States Parties in our meetings as well as on universalization of the Convention. We welcome the accession of Cameroon, Nauru, Guyana and Malawi to the Convention in 2013. We also convey our appreciation to the ISU for its efforts in support of our common objectives.

Thank you.