UNSC briefing on Syria (Chemical Weapons)

India Statement

By

Ambassador R. Ravindra

Deputy Permanent Representative

4 October 2021

Mr. President, let me begin by joining others, in thanking Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for her update.  I also welcome the presence of Representatives of Syria and Turkey in today’s meeting.

2. We have taken note of the contents of the latest 96^th monthly report by DG-OPCW. We also note the submission by Syrian Arab Republic on 16 September of its 95^th monthly report detailing activities undertaken to implement its obligations under the CWC.

3. It is important that the visit of Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) to Syria, takes place early. We have taken note of the upcoming visit of a Syrian delegation to The Hague to engage with the Declaration Assessment Team. We hope both OPCW and Syria will resolve relevant issues expeditiously.

4. The CWC is a unique, non-discriminatory disarmament instrument, for elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. We attach high importance to the CWC, and stand for its full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation.  We support the collective efforts by all to ensure that the credibility and integrity of this Convention is maintained to the fullest.

5. India is against the use of chemical weapons, by anybody, anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances. India has consistently maintained that any investigation into the use of chemical weapons must be impartial, credible, and objective, following scrupulously the provisions and procedure embedded in the Convention, and in conformity with the delicate balance of power and responsibility enshrined under it to establish facts and reach evidence-based conclusions.

6. As a member of this Council, India has been repeatedly cautioning against the possibility of terrorist entities and individuals gaining access to chemical weapons including in the region. The latest report of UNITAD also referred to the repeated deployments of chemical weapons by ISIL against civilian populations between 2014 and 2016. This is a cause for serious concern and needs to be acted upon.

7. Lastly, Mr. President, we believe that technical issues such as Syria, chemical weapons file, need to be dealt in an objective manner. Progress on these matters could potentially help the political track positively.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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