UNSC Open Debate

“Small arms: Addressing the threat posed by diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition to peace and security”

15 December 2023

India Statement

Thank you, Mr. President for holding today’s meeting on a very important topic.

The illicit trade, transfer and diversion of small arms and light weapons continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The implications arising from their trafficking and misuse, negatively affect the progress on the UN development agenda.

The UN SG in his “New Agenda for Peace” underlines that non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups “often engage in illicit trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons and have access to the latest technology, as well as military-grade weapons acquired from poorly secured stockpiles and transfers from the illicit market, or from States themselves”

We believe, that the matter, therefore, requires actionable, objective, and transparent measures by all States.

In this regard, Mr. President, I would like to make 4 points:

One, the illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and related ammunition is a key enabler for sustaining conflicts by armed and terrorist groups. It underlines the need for coordinated efforts by States to limit the acquisition of SALW by such actors. It is important that this Council exercises a zero tolerance to terror actors and their sponsors, their possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons. In this regard, arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council are an important tool to curb the flow of such weapons.

Two, having fought the scourge of terrorism for several decades, India is aware of the perils of the diversion and illicit transfer of small arms and ammunition to armed non-State actors and terrorists. India has suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism and violence carried out by terrorist groups using these illicit weapons smuggled across our borders, including now through the use of drones. The increase in volume and the quality of the arsenal acquired by these terrorist organizations reminds us time and again that they cannot exist without the sponsorship or support of States. In this regard, India welcomes the consensus outcome document at the BMS-8 on the UN Program of Action on SALW that recognized the adverse effects of illicit arms trade in exacerbating terrorism.

Three, international cooperation is essential in strengthening existing mechanisms for information exchange to identify diversion points, trafficking routes, customs control, cross-border cooperation etc. to prevent diversion and the illicit transfers of SALW and their ammunition. India supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global level to strengthen the implementation of the UN Program of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI), including through national legislative measures and enforcement, export controls, information sharing and capacity building. India participated actively in the deliberations and supported the establishment of a Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, which, we hope, will strengthen the safe, secure, and sustainable ammunition management.

Four, UN Peacekeeping Missions could support host countries in addressing the issue of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons through strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement and security agencies in safe handling, upkeep and stockpile management of arms and weapons, including those recovered from non-State actors. However, UN peacekeeping operations should not be used as a means to implement the arms embargo. This will not only entail a big addition to their existing mandate, it will also affect their operational efficiency and could possibly even put peacekeepers at risk.

Mr. Chair,

India attaches high importance to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

The G20 Leaders Declaration, adopted at the Summit in New Delhi on 10 September 2023 emphasizes international cooperation among States to combat the illicit trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons.

India regularly submits its national reports on the implementation of the PoA and the ITI.

India has put in place a strong legislative and administrative mechanisms at the national level to prevent and combat illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

In addition, India maintains strict export controls over all munitions and related items, including small arms and light weapons. Our commitment is also reflected in India’s participation in the Wassenaar Arrangement. As Plenary Chair for the year 2023, India remains committed to work towards a further strengthening of the global non-proliferation architecture, including in the area of SALW.

I thank you.