Ukraine war: India speaks on bio-weapons at UN amid Russia's allegations against US

India commented on biological weapons amid Russia's allegations that Ukraine was preparing such weapons with the help of Western powers. India noted the remarks made by United Nations Under-Secretary-General of Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu.

India's deputy permanent representative to the UN said that the country attaches "high importance" to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, or BTWC, which outlaws use of such weapons of mass destruction.

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R. Ravindra said, "India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non- discriminatory disarmament Convention, prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. It is important to ensure full and effective implementation of the BTWC in letter and spirit. We also believe that any matter relating to obligations under the BTWC should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention and through consultations and cooperation between the parties concerned."

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The Indian envoy also said that Delhi was "deeply concerned" at the "progressively deteriorating situation in Ukraine". Ravindra said, "We welcome the latest round of diplomatic talks between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. We believe that immediate cessation of hostilities and diligently pursuing the path of dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward. It is important to undertake this engagement keeping in mind the need to respect the principles of the UN Charter, international law and sovereignty and territorial integrity of States."

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Earlier, the Russian defence ministry had reportedly accused Ukraine of producing biological weapons with the help of the United States of America. Moscow claimed that Kyiv and Washington worked on diseases whose use could be disguised as natural outbreaks.

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