Statement delivered by Ambassador Anupam Ray at the 20th Meeting of State Parties of the Anti Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), Geneva, 25 November 2022
Mr. President
The delegation of India is pleased to see you chair the 20th Meeting of State Parties of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and assures you of its support and cooperation.
India has been participating in the meetings of the APMBC as an Observer. India values the vision of a world free of anti-personnel land mines and is committed to their eventual elimination.
India’s participation in the Convention’s Meetings of States Parties and Review Conferences, is testament to our continued commitment to this important objective.
India believes that the availability of militarily effective alternative technologies that can perform cost-effectively, the legitimate defensive role of anti-personnel landmines will considerably facilitate the goal of the complete elimination of anti-personnel mines.
India is a party to the Amended Protocol–II of the CCW which takes into account the legitimate defense requirements of States especially those with long and difficult borders like India.
India has also fulfilled its obligations under Amended Protocol-II on non-production of non-detectable mines as well as rendering all anti-personnel mines detectable. India is observing a moratorium on the export and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
India has taken a number of measures to address humanitarian concerns arising from the use of anti-personnel landmines in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
India remains committed to increased international cooperation and assistance for mine clearance as well as rehabilitation of mine-victims and has been contributing to this end through technical assistance and expertise.
Mr. President
India is a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and has extended assistance to international demining and rehabilitation efforts.
India has provided training to mine clearance teams who have undertaken mine clearance tasks in several countries including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Angola, Benin and Afghanistan in the recent past.
India’s Centre of Excellence for Counter-IED training has provided training in mine clearance and explosives disposal to over 800 personnel from various countries in the last five years. Delegations from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Vietnam among others have visited the Centre of Excellence during the past several years.
We have also undertaken specialist training on Counter IED, bomb disposal and demining operations with numerous partner countries, including Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.
India’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities underscores the importance we attach to victim assistance.
India’s initiative ‘India for Humanity’, launched during Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations, has conducted a number of artificial limb fitment camps globally and has gained recognition worldwide for its efficacy, safety and effectiveness.
We have been cooperating and providing assistance to various countries and stand ready to contribute towards capacity building, victim assistance and victim rehabilitation, upon request from countries in future under the UN mandate.
Mr. President
We also stress the importance of development and sharing of technology to protect civilians against the indiscriminate use of mines as well as for mine clearance.
I thank you Mr. President.
