Asking India to support the proposed 'Global Arms Trade Treaty' set to be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly next month, a confederation of NGOs from across the world Wednesday said the treaty would help New Delhi stem the constant inflow of illegal weapons into the country.
"India is a victim of unregulated arms supply and this treaty presents an opportunity for India to push for a common set of legally binding international standards for responsible arms transfers across the world," Binalakshmi Nepram, the South Asia Policy Advisor on Oxfam's Control Arms Campaign said in New Delhi while releasing a policy paper titled 'India and the Arms Trade Treaty'.
India must take a lead in making the treaty a success because illegal arms trade is hurting its countrymen badly with the nation losing on an average twelve citizens to armed conflicts every day, the policy paper prepared by Oxfam, a global confederation of NGOs campaigning in support of the treaty said.
The paper further added that values such as promotion of international peace, respect for international law and settlement of disputes by arbitration which are present in the draft of the treaty are also an integral part of India's constitution.
Allaying India's doubts that the treaty might end its developing arms production and trade, the paper said that rather then controlling arms trade or production the treaty would only ensure "good practice by all countries".
According to Oxfam, 55 countries have already extended their support to the arms trade treaty, the draft of which was prepared by 18 Nobel laureates from different parts of the world, including Professor Amartya Sen.
India, though agrees with the clauses of the treaty but has not formally supported it, Nepram added.
