INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
India has voted against the draft decision on chemical weapons use at global meet.The Hague: India has voted against the draft decision on
addressing the threat from chemical weapons use at a special conference of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
at the Hague, citing "incomplete consultations".Speaking at the conference, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the OPCW,
Venu Rajamony, said the country is against the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances and believes those who indulge in such
"abhorrent acts" must be held accountable."We have studied this draft very carefully and have consulted widely including with the drafters
and the main co-sponsors of the draft decision
However we believe that on an issue of such grave importance, the consultations conducted by the sponsors remain incomplete
It has been India's view that the draft decision of such far reaching importance and implications should be the end result of a
comprehensive and extensive consultation," he said, explaining India's vote on the draft decision on 'Addressing the Threat from Chemical
Weapons Use'."As our concerns have not been addressed by the draft decision, India has decided to vote against the draft decision," Mr
Rajamony said."However, India remains willing and open for discussions with States Parties to find ways and means to strengthen the
Convention and its effective implementation including on the present issue of timely attribution to the extent, provided it is strictly
within the framework of the Convention
The international community has high expectations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and it is incumbent on all States Parties to rise up to
this expectation by preserving and protecting the Convention" he said.He said India expresses its deepest sympathies to the victims of
chemical weapons attacks and their families.The conference has been called by the UK, the US and the West to have discussions on upholding
the global ban against the use of chemical weapons.The UK has reportedly proposed to consider empowering the OPCW to identify the
organisation or government responsible for chemical attacks in addition to its existing power of carrying out the investigation into such
cases."It has been India's consistent position that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances,
cannot be justified and the perpetrators of such abhorrent acts must be held accountable," Mr Rajamony said.The use of chemical weapons is
in complete disregard of humanity, and is reprehensible and contrary to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as
accepted international legal norms
It is important to maintain the credibility and integrity of the Convention, he said.All investigations of the alleged use of chemical
weapons should be conducted in an impartial and objective manner and strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, the
ambassador said.He urged that all provisions of the Convention be utilised to address these concerns, according to a statement issued today
by the Indian Embassy at The Hague.Mr Rajamony said while there was unity on the goal, there are strong differences on how to achieve this
goal."India attaches the highest importance to this organisation and has therefore always emphasised the importance of consensus and the
need for all decisions to be taken by the members of OPCW in consultation with each other, taking on board different points of view," he
said.India has also called for constructive engagement, dialogue and unity of purpose at the specially-convened conference.Mr Rajamony said
it was important that the extensive support and universality that the OPCW enjoys is not dissipated, as this would undermine the
long-standing credibility of the organisation."Any long-lasting and effective solution to the challenges faced by the OPCW can only be found
through wide ranging consultations among States Parties," he said.The global ban against chemical weapons is the fundamental goal for which
the Chemical Weapons Convention has been adopted.The special session is being held in the backdrop of the widespread concern over reports of
use of chemical weapons in Malaysia, the UK, Northern Ireland, Syria and Iraq.The meeting is taking place over three months after the
Salisbury nerve agent attack against a former Russian spy which the UK says was carried out by Russia.
