Seventh Biennial Meeting of States (BMS) to
Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action
to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in
Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects

Agenda Item 7
Intervention by Ms. Subhashini Narayanan, Counsellor
Permanent Mission of India to the Conference on Disarmament
26 July 2021

Mr. Chairperson,

India believes that the full implementation of the ITI is crucial for tackling the illicit trade in SALW. India had the honor to chair the GGE in 2002-03 whose recommendations led to the Open-Ended Working Group to negotiate the ITI.

The interconnected nature of marking, record keeping and international cooperation, remain the three pillars of successful tracing of illicit SALW.

India supports the need for full reporting in implementation of the ITI as part of National Reports and supports discussions in relevant international UN agencies on facilitating, tracing as well as promotion of a multilateral platform for sharing of information, and receiving and responding to requests for tracing.

India has sound provisions and procedures for marking and tracing of firearms and ammunition, and mechanism to regulate their export, along with provisions for their inventory and stockpile management. Penal provisions to mitigate diversions related to SALW are also provided for.  

Indian Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019, defines tracing as systematic tracking of firearms and ammunition from manufacturer to purchaser for the purpose of detecting, investigating and analysing illicit manufacturing and illicit trafficking; and provisions for marking of ammunition along with firearms has also been incorporated.

Mr. Chair,

With regard to emerging developments in SALW manufacturing, technology and design, India supports any technological solution that contributes towards enhancing the effectiveness of ITI implementation.

At the same time, we would be cautious about the financial and technical burden, particularly for developing countries resulting from such solutions.

Thank you.