Mr. Chair,

India would like to thank Mr. Kimmo Laukkanen for his hard work and significant contribution as the Chair of the MX1. India welcomes the report of the MX1 and hopes that the recommendations would find a way to the report of this MSP for adoption and decision at the Ninth Review Conference.

As underlined during the general debate by my delegation, Article X is one of the key provisions of the BWC. Full and effective implementation of Article X will make a significant contribution to the achievement of the object and purpose of the Convention.

Article X also reflects the collective aspiration of developing countries with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Convention as also underscored in the statement delivered by the Distinguished Chair of the NAM today, with which India fully aligns itself.

India has both extended and benefitted from international cooperation and assistance and we express our most sincere gratitude to all those countries who helped us in the time of need. The distinguished delegate of Ukraine reminded us today that a friend in need is a friend indeed. India is privileged to have so many friends in this room and outside.

Mr. Chair,

My delegation had presented a brief report on some of the international cooperation and assistance efforts undertaken by my country during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was done at the meeting of experts and the statement is a matter of record and available on our website.

India stands ready to work with other Member States to take forward some of the concrete proposals to promote effective implementation of Article X, including the establishment of an Article X Trust Fund as well as strengthening Implementation Support Unit with the appointment of an International Cooperation Officer.

While I have the floor, I would like to comment on the proposal by the Distinguished Delegation of Brazil on establishing a multilateral export control regime. We see great value in export control regimes as they help ensure non-proliferation of biological weapons including preventing terrorists and non-State actors from acquiring biological weapons. India would, therefore, support Brazil’s proposal. However, such a multilateral export control regime should be an integral component of a legally binding protocol within the framework of the BWC. A Transfers Regime, similar to the one proposed by the Brazilian delegation, has been working successfully in the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Mr. Chair,

My statement would not be complete without thanking all the Member States who continue to contribute to international cooperation and assistance under Article X. In addition to some of the initiatives shared by my delegation at MX1, with your permission, I would like to invite, our expert Dr. AtanuBasu, to share one of our latest initiatives on One Health Approach, which is relevant to our work in the BWC.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.