India To Sign The Mine Ban Treaty If Alternate Technologies Are Found

INDIA TO SIGN THE MINE BAN TREATY IF ALTERNATE

TECHNOLOGIES ARE FOUND

March 2008 marks the 9th Anniversary of Entry into Force of the “Mine Ban Treaty” that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. India has refrained from signing the treaty but has shown concern  for the victims and participated in some conferences, the last being the 8th Meeting of State Party held in Amman, Jordan in 2007. India remains one of the largest producers of mines along with countries like Russia, China and Pakistan – stockpiling about 40 lakhs tonnes. As an emerging global power, India has global responsibilities.It is important that India continues to participate sincerely in the global efforts to make the world mine free by signing the Mine Ban Treaty. It is high time India takes firm and bold stand now.

New Delhi – March 2008 will mark the entry into force of the 9th anniversary of the International Mine Ban Treaty. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their Destruction (Mine Ban Treaty) enter into force on 1 March 1999. The Mine Ban Treaty was spearheaded by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in 1997.

Since its inception, eighty per cent or 156 countries worldwide have signed the Mine Ban Treaty. However; less than forty countries remain outside the Treaty. Along with the US, Russia, China and Pakistan, India has yet to sign the Mine Ban Treaty. In 2007 only two governments