All investigations of alleged use of chemical weapons should be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and all provisions of the CWC should be utilised to reach evidence based conclusions, says India on the Salisbury incident
India has stated in the Executive Council of the Organization for Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that all investigations of alleged use of chemical weapons should be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention and all provisions of the Convention should be utilised to reach evidence based conclusions.
Addressing the 59th Meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW convened at the request of the UK, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to OPCW, Venu Rajamony said India has taken note of the report submitted after the Technical Assistance visit. India’s position on chemical weapons is clear and consistent. Any 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. India is against the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances.
He said the Chemical Weapons Convention is a unique non-discriminatory multilateral instrument which continues to serve as a model disarmament treaty. It is important to maintain the credibility and integrity of the Convention. India, has therefore, maintained that all investigations of alleged use of chemical weapons should be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. India also urges that all provisions of the Convention be utilized to address concerns in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Convention, so as to reach evidence based conclusions.