India Hosts First Capacity Building Event with UN Office for Disarmament Affairs on Strategic Trade Controls for Asia-Pacific

By R Anil Kumar

• Organizing such events, India aims to strengthen regional cooperation and support the global effort to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly by non-state actors

• The initiative underscores India’s commitment to non-proliferation and its role in enhancing international non-proliferation architecture

Bengaluru. India is set to host its first-ever capacity-building event in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) on strategic trade controls for Asia-Pacific states.

The event, scheduled from February 25 to 27, 2025, will focus on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and strategic trade controls.

In April 2004, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1540, which affirms the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery, by non-state actors, constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

Speakers and experts from the UNSC 1540 Committee, UNODA, and various Indian government departments such as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, and Department of Biotechnology will share their experiences and best practices.

This initiative underscores India’s commitment to non-proliferation and its role in enhancing international non-proliferation architecture. By organizing such events, India aims to strengthen regional cooperation and support the global effort to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly by non-state actors.

This capacity-building program is part of India’s broader engagement with the United Nations and reflects its dedication to multilateralism and disarmament efforts.

It aligns with India’s existing legal and regulatory framework for strategic trade controls and its participation in various international export control regimes.

The event highlights India’s proactive stance in addressing global security challenges and its willingness to share expertise with other nations to enhance regional security and stability.

India engages in relevant multilateral forums and with partner countries on disarmament, non-proliferation and international security affairs, the external affairs ministry noted in an earlier statement.

India’s engagement is based on its longstanding commitment to the goals of universal and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament and the objectives of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.

The Office for Disarmament Affairs supports multilateral efforts aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.

The UNODA provides substantive and organizational support for norm-setting in the area of disarmament through the work of the General Assembly and its First Committee, the Disarmament Commission, the Conference on Disarmament and other bodies.

It fosters disarmament measures through dialogue, transparency and confidence-building on military matters, and encourages regional disarmament efforts; these include the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and regional forums.