India pushes for consensus on Arms Trade Treaty

India on Thursday said that a comprehensive legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) should not be rushed through and underlined the need for forging consensus so that the proposed pact can make a real impact on the diversion of arms to terrorists.

“A number of delegations, including India, felt that the draft text needs further work and a treaty of this kind, which would be legally binding when in force, should not be rushed through,” said Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry.

He was responding to a question on India’s position on the July 2-27 UN conference ATT which failed to adopt an agreed text.

“It is important to bring all stakeholders on board in a manner that promotes the prospects of a treaty that is practical and implementable and is able to attract universal adherence,” said the spokesperson.

India also underlined that the treaty should be firmed up so that “it should make a real impact on preventing illicit trafficking in conventional arms and their diversion to terrorists and other non-state actors”.