India has raised concerns over growing global instability as key arms control mechanisms weaken, urging the international community to safeguard strategic stability and prevent a renewed arms race.

Addressing the 2026 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) marked a significant setback for global arms control efforts.

“The recent expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty poses a significant setback for global arms control. India believes that preserving strategic stability and preventing an arms race remain vital, more than ever, for global security,” Misri stated.

He noted that the high-level discussions were taking place amid a “profoundly uncertain geopolitical and security environment,” marked by rising military expenditure, stress on established arms control frameworks and rapid technological advances with military applications.

Reaffirming India’s nuclear doctrine, Misri said the country remains committed to maintaining a credible minimum deterrent and adheres to a policy of ‘no-first use’ and non-use against non-nuclear-weapon states.

India reiterated its longstanding support for universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament through a phased, multilateral process. Misri also expressed backing for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty within the existing mandate of the Conference on Disarmament.

On emerging technologies, he highlighted that advancements in artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies are transforming military capabilities while creating new risks. India has called for a UN system-wide assessment of the security implications of such developments.

“Human judgement and oversight in the use of AI in the military domain is essential to mitigate risks and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law,” Misri said, adding that decisions relating to nuclear weapons would remain under human control.

He referenced the AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted by India, which adopted the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact and saw participation from over 100 countries, stressing equitable access to AI and inclusive development, particularly for the Global South.

On outer space security, Misri reaffirmed India’s position that space should remain a domain of cooperation rather than conflict, and reiterated support for negotiating a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space.

He also noted India’s hosting of a conference in December 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention, alongside capacity-building initiatives in partnership with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Concluding his address, Misri reaffirmed India’s support for the Conference on Disarmament as the world’s sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum and urged member states to demonstrate political will in prioritising collective security.