UNSC briefing/consultations on Syria (Chemical Weapons)

[Friday, 29 April 2022; 1000 hrs EDT/1930 hrs IST]

Madam President, we would like to thank Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for her update.

2. We have taken note of the contents of the latest monthly report by DG-OPCW. We also note the recent monthly submission made by Syria detailing measures undertaken to implement its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

3. We encourage continued engagement between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat to resolve the outstanding issues. We are hopeful that the twenty fifth round of consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team and Syrian National Authority will be organized at the earliest. Further, we also hope that next round of inspections of the Barzah and Jamrayah facilities of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) will be held at an early date.

4. Today marks the 25 anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. India attaches high importance to the Chemical Weapons Convention and stands for its full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation. We support the collective efforts by all the parties 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. Such an investigation should follow scrupulously the provisions and procedures 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. India has also been repeatedly cautioning against the possibility of terrorist entities and individuals gaining access to chemical weapons, including in the region. The reports of UNITAD have also referred to the repeated deployments of chemical weapons by UN proscribed terrorist groups and those affiliated to ISIL against civilian populations between 2014 and 2016. The international community’s collective fight against terrorism will be strengthened by ensuring accountability for the grave and inhuman acts of terror committed by terrorists and terrorist groups. Towards this end, India has made a contribution of USD 200,000 to support UNITAD’s investigations.

7. India continues to believe that progress on other tracks would also help in facilitating overall political peace process in Syria, as underscored in Resolution 2254.

I thank you.

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