UN First Committee : STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ANUPAM RAY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT, DURING THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE OFTHE 78TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Home > UN First Committee > STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ANUPAM RAY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT, DURING THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE OFTHE 78TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 16, 2023

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ANUPAM RAY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT, DURING THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE OFTHE 78TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Mr. Chairman,

India, as a responsible nuclear weapon State, has a policy of maintaining a credible minimum deterrence with a no-first use posture and non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon States.

We remain firmly committed to global nuclear disarmament, which must be universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable.

We are convinced that this goal can be achieved in a time-bound manner by a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed multilateral framework. This framework must be global and non-discriminatory.

India’s approach to nuclear disarmament is outlined in our Working Paper submitted to the UNGA First Committee in 2006 and to the Conference on Disarmament in 2007. This, we believe, has an enduring relevance, even today.

As the world’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, the Conference on Disarmament has the mandate and membership to commence negotiations on a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention.

Without diminishing the priority that we attach to disarmament, India supports the immediate commencement of negotiations in the CD on a non-discriminatory, multilateral internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) on the basis of CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein, which remains the most suitable basis for negotiations.

Mr. Chairman,

India’s annual resolution on a “Convention on the Prohibition of the use of Nuclear Weapons”, tabled since 1982 in the UNGA requests the CD to commence negotiations on an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

It is our conviction that such a multilateral, universal and legally binding agreement would generate necessary political will among States possessing nuclear weapons to engage in negotiations leading to their total elimination.

India’s resolution on ‘Reducing Nuclear Danger’, tabled since 1998 in the UNGA, has drawn global attention to the hair-trigger alert of nuclear weapons and calls for steps to reduce the risk of unintentional or accidental use of nuclear weapons, including through de-alerting and de-targeting of nuclear weapons.

India presents these two resolutions in this cluster and seeks the kind support and sponsorship of Member States for their adoption.

Mr. Chairperson,

I would like to reiterate that the Treaty on Prohibition of nuclear weapons, negotiated outside the CD, does not create obligations for India.

India’s commitment to global nuclear disarmament, however, remains unchanged.

We stand ready to work with all countries to achieve the objective.

An Indian expert participated actively and constructively in the work of the GGE on Nuclear Disarmament Verification. We are happy to note that the group was able to agree on a consensus report.

India strongly supports upholding and strengthening global non-proliferation objectives. We believe that the international community must do all it can to prevent terrorists and non-state actors from gaining access to nuclear weapons, materials and technologies.

Mr. Chairman,

This is the first time that my delegation takes the floor after the recent events in the Middle East, and I would like, before concluding, to refer to that situation.

India’s position with regard to Palestine is well-established and well-known. That has not changed.

India has always adhered to the laws of war during times of war and expects others to do so.

India stands in solidarity with the government and people of Israel at this difficult hour.

Very few countries have suffered as much as India from terrorism. India believes that the international community has a responsibility to confront terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Mr Chairman,

Finally, I would like to reiterate that India stands ready to work with fellow member States towards the shared objective of a world free of nuclear weapons.