General Assembly Security Council

UNSC briefing on Ukraine

 

(Friday, May 13, 2022; 1000 hrs EDT/1930 hrs IST)
***

 Thank you Mr. President,

 

We deeply mourn the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of United Arab Emirates. His Highness will be remembered as a great statesman and visionary leader who modernized and empowered the United Arab Emirates. This laid the foundation of the transformation of the India-UAE relationship. The heartfelt condolences of the people of India are with the People of UAE. May his soul rest in peace.

 

Turning to today’s topic, I would like to thank Mr. Thomas Markram, Deputy to the Under Secretary for Disarmament Affairs for his briefing today.

 

3. India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention, prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. The Convention contains binding obligations on States parties to never develop, acquire, stockpile or transfer biological agents for purposes other than peaceful. We support full and effective implementation of the Convention in letter and spirit.

 

4. We also believe that any matter relating to obligations under the Convention should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention and through consultations and cooperation between the parties concerned.

 

India has been underscoring the need for negotiation of a comprehensive and legally binding Protocol, providing for an effective, universal and non-discriminatory verification mechanism to strengthen the implementation of the Convention by States Parties.

 

Madam President,

 

6. We remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation in Ukraine. We have been consistent in calling for cessation of hostilities and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue to address the situation. In this regard, we support the efforts of good offices of the Secretary General.

 

It is important to undertake these efforts keeping in mind the need to respect the principles of the UN Charter, international law and sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.

 

I thank you Mr. President.