Intervention by India during the Annual meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW on Agenda Item 9 relating to Germany’s Working Paper on Explosive Weapons in Populated Area Geneva, 14 November 2019

The use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Area (EWIPA) constitutes a grave humanitarian problem and India stands committed to reduce the impact of weapons utilized in such areas, ensuring no collateral damage and minimizing impact on civilians. The humanitarian principles contained in the IHL and the CCW Protocols provide adequate guidance and provisions to ensure restricted and more accurate usage of explosive weapons in populated areas and avoids indiscriminate effects.

Despite being operationally committed in challenging environment, India has an impeccable record in ensuring avoidance of collateral damage over the entire spectrum of operations. Our involvement in sub-conventional operations on a daily basis, with non-state actors using civil population and infrastructure to their advantage, necessitates operations being conducted in populated areas. However, to ensure avoidance or mitigation of collateral damage and unnecessary loss of lives during the operations, stringent adherence to SOPs and ROEs is being exercised.

The track record of Indian Armed Forces in combating terrorism standsout wherein troops regularly expose themselves to danger, in order to ensure minimal collateral damage and civilian casualties.

In concluding, we would note that any regulations in this area must take into consideration national security requirements and the unique operational environments, while ensuring respect for IHL.