India calls for universal and legally binding nuclear disarmament framework at UN

India has called for the establishment of a universal, non-discriminatory, and verifiable legal framework for complete global nuclear disarmament during a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee in New York.

Delivering India's statement under the nuclear weapons cluster, Indian delegate and Member of Parliament Manish Tewari emphasized that decisions to deploy or launch nuclear weapons must remain strictly under human control, particularly as military forces increasingly explore artificial intelligence in command structures.

Human control and nuclear command

Addressing the First Committee, Tewari noted that the integration of emerging technologies into defence networks introduces critical operational risks. India espouses the core principle that any decision regarding nuclear weapon deployment must rest with human leaders rather than automated systems.

Reaffirming New Delhi's foundational strategic stance, the Indian delegation stated that the nation's nuclear capabilities are purely defensive and tailored to its specific regional security environment, rather than directed at any individual country.

As a responsible nuclear-armed state, India maintains a doctrine of credible minimum deterrence paired with a strict posture of no-first-use and non-use against non-nuclear states. India confirmed its willingness to convert these voluntary commitments into formal multilateral legal arrangements.

Longstanding resolutions at the United Nations

India highlighted two key resolutions that it traditionally tables before the UN First Committee to mitigate nuclear risks and advance global denuclearisation.

India reiterated its adherence to a voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing and advocated for legally binding negative security assurances to safeguard non-nuclear nations. Providing such guarantees to non-nuclear countries would alleviate security concerns and fortify the global non-proliferation framework, the delegate said.

Position on international treaties

Clarifying its stance on existing multilateral treaties, the Indian delegation noted that while the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) does not create legal obligations for New Delhi, India’s broader commitment to global non-proliferation remains steadfast.

India also urged heightened international collaboration to ensure that weapons of mass destruction, nuclear materials, and advanced technologies do not fall into the hands of non-state actors or terrorist groups.