Committee

Committee: DISEC - The First Committee of United Nations General Assembly
Topic: Reduction in Military Expenditure around the Globe

Country: Republic of India
According to SIPRI it is the amount of financial resources allocated by a state to raise and
maintain defense forces or methods for purposes of protection. Every government of the
world is responsible for its own reduction in military expenditure if it desires peace in the
world. United Nations and other organizations are major stakeholders as they are key
players in bring the world together onto negotiations table. Bringing together producers and
consumers of weapons to negotiate a deal on reduction of expenditures on weapons of
mass destruction. Increasing armament affects all those lives involved in the current
conflicts in various parts of the world, such as the situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen.
Increasing scale of war requires more money and weapons encouraging their supply
reducing the chances of negotiated peace. People suffer as their homes are destroyed,
refugees are displaced requiring more money and space in foreign lands for rehabilitation.
This is a crucial topic as it is a matter of human lives. Vital to global peace, growth and
encouragement of governments that work to promote welfare and protection of the lives of
the people around the globe.
Much has been done in the past to reduce global expenditure in military. UN has put
forward directives to make the details of military expenditure public. India, complying with
United Nations Resolutions declares and shares details of its military expenditure at every
session of DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee) after every 4 years.
Establishment of ATT (Arms Trade Treaty) that regulates the international trade of
conventional arms – from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircrafts and warships.
Establishment of commission in 1946 that was to deal with discovery of weapons of mass
destruction. Later NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) was signed by many countries
committing not to develop nuclear weapons. It banned test of nuclear weapons by any state
in atmosphere, space and underwater seas. Establishment of NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group)
led to sharing of nuclear technology and research for peaceful purposes. Many NGO’s have
worked to promote disarmament such as UNODA (United Nations Office for Disarmament
Affairs), SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), International Campaign to
Abolish Nuclear Weapons based in United Kingdom.
Given the importance of disarmament at global scale, the Republic of India ensures that
military expenditure is not excessive and only to required scale. Being an important and
strategic military with advancing nations at the borders drive our development of weapon
technology but it is in no way meant to disturb global peace but to nourish it. Since the
development of technology has led to lesser conflicts over time. Given our frequent wars
with Pakistan has reduced it to a lower frequency establishing a much needed peace. Over
time Republic of India has taken up and supported disarmament and non-proliferation
efforts. This history can be traced back to 1950s when the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru became the first head of state to call for a standstill agreement proposing a ban on
nuclear testing in 1954. India later also advocated a strong non-discriminatory treaty
banning nuclear proliferation. India proposed a comprehensive proposal for “complete and
universal nuclear disarmament” to the UN General Assembly Special Session on
Disarmament in 1988, which came to be known as the Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan.
Additionally, in 1996, India, one amongst the “Group of 21”, submitted a Programme of
Action calling for “phased elimination of nuclear weapons” to the Conference of
Disarmament. Overtime India has established its status as a “Responsible nuclear power”. In
2006, India reiterated its commitment to a Nuclear Weapons Convention calling for a
verifiable and non-discriminatory elimination of all nuclear weapons unlike NPT.
Overtime, much has not yet been achieved despite proactive efforts by India at multilateral
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation advocacy has to be in cognizance of the present
security environment and the challenges that remain with Pakistan’s increasing nuclear
arsenal and capabilities, and China’s increasing superiority and sophistication of its nuclear
capability. However, there are certain efforts that India can make to further its long-
standing goal of nuclear disarmament while also maintaining a credible position of
deterrence in South Asia. India proposes that peace talks should be initiated between
countries to address underlying issues that fuel rivalries between them. Encourage trade
between countries to strengthen trading relationship to encourage economic growth, which
will lead to peace in the region thus reducing military cost.
India would like Pakistan to have talks in order to resolve underlying disputes. Kashmir issue
is only to be resolved when both countries sit down and talk. Establish an economic
relationship between the two countries to ease tensions. Which will hopefully bring down
weapons race in the region, thus discouraging the development of tactical weapons. We
would also like Russia, China and USA to sit together to form a global uniform policy which is
non-discriminatory. Disarmament can only be achieved if major stakeholders at the UN
pursue the suggested policy by India.

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Committee: DISEC - The First Committee of United Nations General Assembly

Topic: Reduction in Military Expenditure around the Globe

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