India calls for destruction of all chemical weapons

New York, Oct 2: India has urged the countries which possess

to destroy their stockpiles in line with the Convention against Chemical Weapons (CWC) as soon as possible.

Addressing a special meeting that was convened at the United Nations to mark 15 years of the Convention, Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna said: "Disarmament is a primary goal of the Convention and should remain the priority till the complete destruction of all chemical weapons."

Pointing out that "Timely destruction of chemical weapons by all state parties is critical for upholding the credibility and integrity of the CWC", Krishna emphasised that the countries which are yet to fulfil their obligations should do so without further delay.

UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), attended the meeting.

"We have demonstrated our commitment and sense of responsibility by destroying all our chemical weapon stockpiles under OPCW verification within the timeframe prescribed by the Convention. India views the Convention as a unique, multilaterally-negotiated and non-discriminatory disarmament instrument, which serves as a model for the elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction," he said.

India wants the Convention to be a success and as an original signatory is keen to see that it is effectively implemented, Krishna averred. All countries must destroy their chemical weapon stockpiles and cooperate with the other state parties in this regard, he stressed.

OneIndia News