Jaishankar calls for global framework to tackle bioweapons threat

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told a conference marking 50 years of the Biological Weapons Convention that the world is not adequately prepared to deal with bioterrorism and that non-state actors could resort to biological agents. The event, titled '50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Strengthening Bio-security for the Global South', drew experts and representatives from over 80 countries. Jaishankar highlighted the pressing need for international cooperation to counter modern bio threats and called for modernisation of the BWC, noting it lacks basic institutional structures, a compliance system, a permanent technical body, and a mechanism to track new scientific developments. He urged bridging these gaps to build confidence and resilience.

India has proposed a National Implementation Framework designed to address high-risk agents, oversee dual-use research, ensure domestic reporting and incident management, and provide ongoing training. The minister stressed that biological threats cannot be tackled in isolation and must involve international stakeholders, with the Global South at the center of any strengthened framework. He also underscored India’s commitment to non-proliferation of sensitive and dual-use goods and technologies, supported by a robust legal and regulatory system, and emphasized the need for global cooperation to ensure faster, practical, and humanitarian responses in case of biological incidents. The dialogue at the conference highlighted unequal access to vaccines and medicines as a global risk, reinforcing the case for stronger biosecurity measures that can benefit the Global South as well as the broader international community.

Cover image source: Need framework to deal with challenge of biological weapons: Jaishankar 🔗

#Biosecurity #BWC #GlobalSouth