India reiterated the need for stronger global biosecurity and a more resilient Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) at an international conference in New Delhi in 2025, marking 50 years of the BWC.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned that the global community remains unprepared to counter bioterrorism, especially threats from non-state actors.
- Bioterrorism refers to the intentional release of biological agents or toxins for the purpose of harming or killing humans, animals or plants with the intent to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population to further political or social objectives
- For example: The 2001 Anthrax letter attacks in the United States.
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About Biological Weapons Convention (BWC):
- Formal Title: “The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction.”
- Nature: The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is a legally binding international treaty that prohibits the use of biological and toxin weapons, and bans their development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and transfer.
- The BWC is the first multilateral disarmament treaty that bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- It complements the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which had restricted only the use of biological weapons, by extending restrictions to their development and possession.
- Genesis: The BWC was opened for signature in April 1972 and entered into force in March 1975.
- Membership: The BWC has near-universal membership, consisting of 189 States Parties.
- India is among the early States Parties to the BWC; it signed in 1973 and ratified the Convention in 1974.
- First Multilateral Disarmament Treaty: The BWC is the first multilateral disarmament treaty that bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- It complements the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which had restricted only the use of biological weapons, by extending restrictions to their development and possession.
- Key Provisions:
- Absolute Prohibition: States Parties pledge never, under any circumstances, to develop, produce, stockpile, acquire, or retain biological or toxin weapons.
- Destruction Obligations: States must ensure that all existing biological weapons are destroyed or permanently diverted to peaceful purposes.
- Ban on Transfer and Assistance: States undertake not to transfer, assist, encourage, or induce any actor to manufacture or acquire biological weapons in any form.
- Compliance and Enforcement
- Cooperation Provisions: The Convention encourages states to cooperate bilaterally or multilaterally to address compliance concerns and resolve issues related to implementation.
- UN Security Council Mechanism: Any State Party may request the United Nations Security Council to investigate alleged violations, and all States must cooperate with investigations initiated by the UNSC.
- Lack of Verification Body: The BWC does not have a dedicated implementation or verification body, which allows for potential violations without robust oversight.
- Review Conferences: States Parties convene approximately every five years to review the operation of the Convention and strengthen its implementation.
Measures Taken by India to Implement the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
- 1989 Rules on Hazardous and Genetically Engineered Organisms: It regulates activities involving microorganisms and genetically engineered materials.
- Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 2005: Thethe Act criminalises unlawful activities related to manufacture, transport, acquisition, or transfer of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons.
- SCOMET List: The Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) list functions as India’s national export control regime for dual-use items.
- Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) oversees research involving genetically modified organisms.
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3 Dec 2025
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