UNSC briefing on Syria (Chemical Weapons)

[6 May 2021]

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti,

Permanent Representative of India  to the United Nations

Thank you, Mr. President.

Let me begin by thanking Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu for updating the Council in respect of OPCW mechanisms on Syria and the 91^st monthly report of Director General of OPCW.

2. India views the Chemical Weapons Convention as a unique, non-discriminatory disarmament instrument which serves as a model for the elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. India therefore attaches great importance to the Chemical Weapons Convention, and stands for its full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation. India believes that it is important to maintain the credibility and integrity of the Convention.

3. Further, India has been firmly against any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances and that such acts cannot be justified. All investigations of alleged use of chemical weapons should be conducted in an impartial and objective manner and strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

4. We have noted the contents of the latest report by Director General on the ‘progress in the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons program’. India notes the efforts of the OPCW Technical Secretariat with regard to the Declaration Assessment Team in resolving the identified gaps and inconsistencies in the initial declaration and the Fact-Finding Mission on alleged use of chemical weapons. The Syrian authorities  are cooperating with DAT and FFM, as evident from the ongoing deployment of FFM and the next round of consultations with DAT next week.

5. India has consistently supported the need for impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW to establish the facts and reach evidence-based conclusions in incidents of any use of chemical weapons strictly in accordance with the provisions and procedures embedded in  the Chemical Weapons Convention, and in conformity with the delicate balance of power and responsibility enshrined under it.  We have seen both the First Report and now, the Second Report of the IIT on incidents in Syria. The current report falls short of these expectations.

6. We support the resolution of all issues through consultation, dialogue and cooperation. We encourage Syria to continue engagement and cooperation with the OPCW mechanism to resolve all pending issues expeditiously.

7. India remains concerned about the possibility of chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorist entities and individuals. The latest report of the UNITAD mentions about the repeated successful deployments of chemical weapons by ISIL against civilian populations between 2014 and 2016. This is a cause for serious concern given the core area of operations of ISIL has been both Syria and Iraq.  It is deeply concerning that the involvement of external actors in Syria has given a fillip to the growth of terrorism in Syria and in the region. We are concerned at the frequent reports of the resurgence of terrorist groups in the region. The international community cannot afford to lower the guard against terrorists. We have learnt many lessons from the past of the consequences of misplaced complacency against terrorism.

8.  Lastly, Mr. President, India has consistently called for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict through a Syrian-led dialogue, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, facilitated by the UN in line with Security Council resolution 2254. We reiterate our support to UN led efforts for finding an expeditious resolution to the decade long conflict in Syria.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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