UNSC briefing on Syria (Chemical Weapons)

(4 August 2021; 1000 hrs)

Remarks by Amb. T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the UN

I thank Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Mr. Thomas Markram for today’s briefing. I also welcome the  Representatives of Syria and of Iran to today’s meeting.

2. We have taken note of the contents of the latest 94^th monthly report by Director General-OPCW. We note that the Foreign Minister of Syria has agreed to the proposal of DG OPCW on convening an in-person meeting, which will help in addressing and clarifying concerns with regard to OPCW’s mandated activities. In this context, Syria’s positive response to the DG’s proposal is a step in the right direction.

3. We also take note that the 25^th round of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) related bilateral consultations, originally scheduled to take place on 18^th   May in Damascus, have not yet taken place. We encourage Syria to continue its engagement and cooperation with the OPCW so as to resolve all pending issues expeditiously.

4. 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. We attach high importance to the CWC, and stand for its full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation.  We support 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. We encourage OPCW to strictly adhere to these parameters.

6. Since we joined the Council in January this year, India has been repeatedly cautioning against the possibility of terrorist entities and individuals gaining access to chemical weapons. We are concerned at the frequent reports of resurgence of terrorist groups in the region. As we have learnt from the consequences of complacency against terrorism in the past, the international community cannot afford to ignore terrorist activities in Syria and the region.

7. When the Council came together last month by unanimously voting in favour of resolution 2585, we showed to the world that progress on the Syria file, even after a decade of conflict and impasse, is still possible, provided we were all willing to walk that extra step and work in tandem while taking cognizance of each other’s concerns. Let us show the same resolve with regard to the chemical weapons discussions. I thank you.

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