Statement at the High Level Meeting on Countering Nuclear Terrorism

Sep 28,2012

Mr. Chairman,

This is an important and timely meeting and we would like to convey our appreciation to the UN Secretary General for his initiative to bring together member states to address global concerns on nuclear terrorism.

India has taken the lead since 2002 in sponsoring a resolution in the UNGA on “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction”. This resolution highlights the concerns of the international community with regard to WMD terrorism and calls upon all Member states to take measures aimed at preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. India expresses satisfaction that this resolution has been adopted by the UNGA without a vote and supports the continued implementation of this resolution.

As a victim of terrorism for over three decades, we are fully cognizant of the catastrophic dangers that transfers of WMDs to non-state and terrorists could entail. The international community must join hands in eliminating the risks relating to sensitive materials and technologies falling into hands of terrorists and non-state actors, including through clandestine proliferation networks. The focus on non-state actors should in no way diminish state accountability in combating terrorism, dismantling its support infrastructure or curbing its linkages with WMD.

India has taken several steps to prohibit access of weapons of mass destruction to terrorists and non-state actors through measures at the national level as well as participation in international cooperation efforts. India has in place a well-established, stringent and effective export control system based on legislation, regulations and a control list of sensitive materials, equipment and technologies consistent with highest international standards. India is committed to maintaining effective national export controls and is prepared to make its contribution as a full member of the respective multilateral export control regimes.

India supports enhancing international cooperation, including through the UN, IAEA, OPCW and other relevant forums to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs. India has participated in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) processes and has contributed, including by hosting a Sherpa meeting in New Delhi in January 2012. We welcome the outcome of the Nuclear Security Summit held in Seoul in March 2012.

India is setting up a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership which will cooperate with the IAEA and other foreign partners. India is contributing 1 million US dollars to the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Fund for 2012-13. We plan to host a 1540 Workshop later this year to build synergies on nuclear security.

India believes that the primary responsibility for ensuring nuclear security rests at the national level but national responsibility must be accompanied by responsible behavior as well as sustained and effective international cooperation. All states should scrupulously abide by their international obligations. We believe that sustained efforts are required to address the issues of nuclear safety and nuclear security in a coherent manner that will help ensure the safe and secure peaceful uses of nuclear energy which remains an essential component of the energy basket for a number of countries.

India is party to the main international legal instruments on nuclear security, including the Convention on Physical Protection and its 2005 amendment and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. We support the universalization of these instruments, recognizing the importance of multilateral instruments that address nuclear security.

The IAEA has a central role in the strengthening of the international nuclear security framework and welcome the proposal of the Agency to organize an International Conference in 2013 that would help strengthen coordination and complementarities among various nuclear security activities.

Thank you.