Eliminating Chemical Weapons: India's Strategic Contributions

Context

In 2025, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) conducted its Asia Regional Meeting in New Delhi, marking a significant development in India’s engagement with global disarmament and chemical weapons non-proliferation.
The event focused on strengthening regional cooperation, sharing best practices, and building capacity for effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

• Entered into force: 1997

• Objective: To eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) by prohibiting the:

  • Development

  • Production

  • Acquisition

  • Stockpiling

  • Retention

  • Transfer

  • Use of chemical weapons

• Membership: 193 countries are States Parties to the Convention.

• India’s Position:

  • India is an original signatory to the Convention.

• Obligations of Member States:

  • States Parties must enforce CWC provisions within their jurisdiction for all individuals and legal entities.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• Formed in: 1997

• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands

• Mandate:

  • To implement the CWC

  • To verify destruction of chemical weapons worldwide

• Key Activities:

  • Organises regional meetings to:

    • Build capacity of National Authorities

    • Promote bilateral and regional cooperation

    • Strengthen institutional networks for chemical security

• Global Recognition:

  • Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for efforts in eliminating chemical weapons globally

India’s Role in Chemical Weapons Elimination

• National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC):

  • The designated authority for CWC implementation in India

• Indian Chemical Council (ICC):

  • India’s oldest chemical industry association

  • Works closely with NACWC to:

    • Promote chemical safety

    • Ensure industry compliance with CWC

    • Strengthen security practices across the chemical sector

India’s Global Recognition

• In 2024, the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) received the OPCW–The Hague Award

• Award Significance:

  • Recognises individuals or organisations contributing to the objectives of the CWC

  • ICC was honoured for:

    • Promoting chemical safety

    • Ensuring compliance with CWC

    • Enhancing industry-wide chemical security

• Notable Achievement:

  • This was the first time globally a chemical industry body was honoured with this award