Bharat’s Permanent Representative to the
United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, called on the UN to exercise zero tolerance
against the terror groups and their sponsors, adding that the illicit traffic
of small arms and light is a key enabler for sustaining conflicts by armed and
terrorist groups.
“The illicit traffic of small arms and
light weapons and related ammunition is a key enabler for sustaining conflicts
by armed and terrorist groups. This necessitates the need for coordinated
efforts by states to limit the acquisition of small arms and light weapons by
such actors. It is therefore important that this council exercise a zero
tolerance for terror actors and their sponsors, their possession and misuse of
small arms and light weapons,” Kamboj said.
While speaking at the UNSC Open Debate
on Small Arms, she highlighted that Bharat has suffered from cross-border
terrorism and violence carried by terrorist groups using illicit weapons.
She said, “Having fought the scourge of
terrorism for several decades. Bharat is aware of the perils of the diversion
and illicit transfer of small arms and ammunition to armed non state actors and
terrorists. We have 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.”
Kamboj added, “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.”
Asserting the need of International
cooperation to identify diversion points and trafficking routes, Bharat supported
the implementation of UN program of Action and the international tracing
instrument for controlling the illicit trafficking.
Kamboj stated, “International
cooperation is essential in strengthening existing mechanisms for information
exchange to identify diversion points, trafficking routes, customs control,
cross border cooperation, etcetera, to prevent diversion and the illicit
transfers of small arms and life weapons and their ammunition.”
She said further, “Bharat accordingly
supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global levels to
strengthen the implementation of the UN program of Action and the international
tracing instrument, including through national legislative measures and
enforcement, exporter controls information sharing and capacity building.”
Kamboj highlighted Bharat’s efforts for
controlling export of all munitions and related items and shared Bharat’s participation
in the “Wassenaar Arrangement”.
She said, “Bharat maintains strict,
export controls over all munitions and related items, including small arms and
light weapons. Our commitment is also reflected in Bharat participation in the
Wassenaar Arrangement. As plenary chair for the year 20 23, Bharat remains committed
to work towards a further strengthening of the global non proliferation
architecture, including in the area of small arms and light weapons. Thank you
very much.”
ANI
