India Advocates for Balance Between Military Needs and Humanitarian Concerns at UNGA

New York, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : India has made its stance clear on conventional weapons, advocating for a balance between military needs and humanitarian considerations at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Representing India, Member of Parliament Kamaljeet Sahrawat highlighted the country’s commitment to all five protocols of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).

During discussions on lethal autonomous weapon systems and military artificial intelligence, Sahrawat noted that India has established a domestic framework focused on security, reliability, and transparency in the defense sector. She reiterated the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat illegal arms trade, terrorism, and the threats posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Sahrawat stated, “As a party to all five protocols of the CCW, India believes that its enduring strength lies in balancing military necessity with humanitarian imperatives, bringing together states with diverse security interests within a single framework.” She emphasized that the amended Protocol II strikes a balance between humanitarian concerns arising from landmines and the legitimate defense needs of states with long borders.

India has adhered to its obligations under this protocol, which includes not producing non-detectable mines and ensuring all anti-personnel mines are identifiable. This protocol also provides a framework to address the IED threats often deployed by terrorists and illegal armed groups. Sahrawat highlighted that India prioritizes reducing IED threats and supporting victims.

As an international signatory to Protocol V, India is deeply sensitive to the humanitarian impact of explosive remnants of war. Under the “India for Humanity” initiative, over 15,000 artificial limb camps have been organized in various countries in recent years.

Additionally, India has actively participated and co-sponsored the first informal discussions on military artificial intelligence at the United Nations. The country has developed a domestic framework for evaluating reliable AI in defense, based on five principles: reliability, security, transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Sahrawat also expressed India’s support for the United Nations Action Plan on small arms and light weapons, working closely with the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific in Kathmandu to combat the illegal arms trade that fuels terrorism.

This year, India hosted the first UN fellowship on SALW control in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together representatives from 18 countries to strengthen collective capacity-building efforts.

Sahrawat reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing the global non-proliferation regime for conventional weapons and dual-use technologies while promoting their use for peaceful purposes.