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What is the Biological Weapons Convention and has India ratified it?

What is the Biological Weapons Convention and has India ratified it?

02-Aug-2025

International Law

Answer By law4u team

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is an international treaty that prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. It aims to prevent the use of biological agents (like bacteria, viruses, or toxins) as weapons of war. Key Features of the BWC: Opened for signature: 10 April 1972 Entered into force: 26 March 1975 Legally binds signatories not to develop, produce, acquire, or use biological weapons Encourages peaceful use of biological sciences India and the BWC: India signed the BWC on 15 January 1973 India ratified it on 15 July 1974 India's Position: India fully supports the objectives of the BWC. India has enacted laws and established controls to prevent misuse of biological materials. India regularly submits Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) as part of its commitment to transparency. Thus, India is a ratified party to the Biological Weapons Convention and adheres to its provisions to ensure global biological disarmament.

Answer By Anik

Dear Client, The BWC or Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction is an important treaty. It was the first multilateral disarmament convention that outlawed a whole category of weapons of mass destruction. The central component of the BWC is a ban on development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxic weapons. The treaty also demands that states that have possession of such weapons destroy or use them to other peaceful ways. India and Biological Weapons Convention India is indeed a signatory and a ratification member of the BWC convention. This is the gist of how India stands and acts vis-a-vis the BWC: Signatures: India signed the pact on January the 15th, 1973 and ratified it in July 15th, 1974 as a sign of embracing the international standard prohibiting biological weapons. Domestic Legislation: India has formulated its own legislature on the BWC by coming up with a Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005. This Act deals with unlawful production, procurement, acquisition, possession, or development of biological and chemical weapons and their means of delivery, and a serious penalty (punishment) is imposed on the violation of such an Act. India has supported the enhancement of the BWC in a very active way. It also urges the full and effective portrayal of the convention and it has urged the negotiation of a legally binding protocol of verification to ensure its implementation by the member states. India is also an active negotiator in events of international discussions and conferences related to BWC; it has often submitted proposals and working papers at such events. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Answer By Anik

Dear Client, The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) which is also known to as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction is a key multilateral disarmament treaty which took effect in 1975. The BWC outlaws the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, or use of biological and toxin weapons which also includes the demand for their elimination. In terms of international peace and security it plays a key role by which it prevents the use of bio sciences for hostile means. India has joined and is a party to the BWC. In 1973 at January 15th India signed the treaty and in 1974 on July 15th it ratified it which showed its support for the eradication of biological weapons and for the universal non-proliferation of such arms. Also we should note that the BWC does not have a formal verification process which instead we see in terms of transparency measures and mutual trust between member states. I am hoping this clarifies all of your queries which should not but also let me know if it does not. Thank you!