EAM Jaishankar Urges Urgent Global Biosecurity Reforms Amidst Advancing Threats

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has urged urgent global reforms to strengthen biosecurity and modernise the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Addressing an international conference in New Delhi, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted that rapid scientific advances are outpacing global governance frameworks, creating significant security risks.

He stressed that while the BWC remains crucial, it currently lacks a compliance system, a permanent technical body, and mechanisms to track new scientific developments. Dr. Jaishankar warned that bioterrorism and misuse by non-state actors are no longer distant threats.

He emphasised that emerging technologies like synthetic biology, genome editing, and AI-driven design make biological manipulation easier than ever. India, a party to the BWC and an active member of export control regimes like the Australia Group, is committed to international cooperation.

The Minister reiterated India’s support for peaceful technology exchange, faster humanitarian assistance during biological incidents, and championing the concerns of the Global South, calling for decisive action in the next 50 years to keep pace with scientific innovation.