Statement by India under Agenda Item 5 : Interactive Dialogue with the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee at the 57th Session of Human Rights Council (9 September - 11 October 2024), delivered by Mr. Kshitij Tyagi, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 26 September 2024

Mr. Vice-President,

1. We thank the Advisory Committee for its valuable report on the impact, opportunities and challenges of neurotechnology with regard to the promotion and protection of all human rights, and note the report’s conclusions, key findings and recommendations.

2. While highlighting important perspectives on the potential benefits of neurotechnology, the report raises important issues regarding their potential misuse in the absence of necessary guardrails and adequate governance frameworks. 

3. As rightly pointed out in the report, in contrast to the medical development of neurotechnologies, which are generally regulated by established frameworks and processes, the consumer sector remains highly deregulated and is characterized by rapid expansion. The potential misuse of information including personal data that these technologies are able to access is a major concern, especially with the possibilities of convergence with artificial intelligence. Some such concerns are algorithmic bias and lack of traceability and transparency.

4. In this context, we commend the action-oriented recommendations of the Committee in this report on addressing the impact of neurotechnologies on human rights, in a holistic and inclusive manner.

Mr. Vice-President,

5. We take this opportunity to reiterate our support to the Advisory Committee, and convey our appreciation for its excellent work in highlighting a wide range of human rights issues to the Council, especially emerging topical themes relevant to member States. 

Thank you.