In the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, India has issued a warning about the “heightened” threat of biological and chemical weapons misuse, and has urged the international community must address the explosive growth of proliferation concerns. According to the report, new and developing technologies may raise the possibility of terrorist groups as well as other non-state actors gaining access to chemical and biological weapons (WMD).
Concern on Mass destruction weapons
“Terrorists and some other non-state actors accessibility to such weapons of mass destruction adds a critical dimension to the threats these weapons pose on international peace and security,” A Amarnath, a counsellor at India’s UN Mission, said on Tuesday. He stated that rapid evolution of proliferation dangers is a crucial topic that needs the international community’s attention, speaking at the United Nations security Council 1540 Committee open consultations on proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.”New developing technologies may enhance the risks of terrorist groups and non-state actors gaining access to WMD.”
Terrorists as well as other non-state groups’ increasing ability to gain access to delivery systems such as missiles & unmanned/ uncrewed aerial systems has increased the dangers of terrorism utilising WMDs.
The development pace of weapons
“Similarly, in the COVID era, the threat from biological agents & chemicals being used as weapons has grown in tandem with developments in chemistry and biology. Such open consultations is a good place to talk about these concerns as well as how the Committee might help member states,” he said.
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, central China, and quickly spread to be a pandemic. As per Johns Hopkins University, approximately 530,022,000 instances of COVID-19 have still been reported worldwide, with over 6,292,000 persons dying as a result of the disease. He emphasized that India places a high value on the fulfillment of Resolution 1540.
“We have developed a solid law-based, national framework that implement the provisions underlying Resolution 1540 because of our longtime commitment to global nonproliferation,” Amarnath added.
Recognizing the importance of industry, academia, or other key stakeholders for assisting States in implementing Resolution 1540, he said India has been holding outreach activities involving these groups at the national and regional levels.
