External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday warned that the misuse of biological weapons by non-state actors is no longer a “distant possibility,” highlighting the urgent need to modernise the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
Speaking at a conference commemorating 50 years of the BWC, he emphasised that the treaty must include stronger compliance measures, systematic reviews of scientific developments, and mechanisms to track emerging biotechnologies.
“A biological threat—whether natural or deliberate—moves fast, defies borders, and can overwhelm systems,” Jaishankar said. “Public health and security must reinforce each other, and no country can manage such threats alone.” He stressed that recent outbreaks, including COVID-19, demonstrate the necessity of international cooperation in biosecurity.
India, he noted, has a strong record in non-proliferation of sensitive and dual-use technologies, backed by a robust legal and regulatory framework in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1540. The minister outlined India’s National Implementation Framework, covering the identification of high-risk agents, oversight of dual-use research, incident management, and continuous training.
Jaishankar also highlighted the role of the Global South, which faces critical gaps such as fragile healthcare systems, limited laboratories, and slow emergency response. “If biosecurity is uneven, so is global safety. The Global South has the most to gain and contribute,” he said, noting India’s capacity as a trusted partner in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and biosciences.
He called for the BWC to be modernised to keep pace with scientific developments, ensure verification mechanisms, and strengthen global capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to biological threats. India remains committed to global biosecurity and cooperation with the Global South to ensure preparedness against both natural and deliberate biological threats.
The event was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood, DRDO Chairman Samir Kamat, and other experts, emphasizing the intersection of science, security, and policy in strengthening international biosecurity frameworks.
