Jaishankar Warns of Biological Threats, Urges BWC Modernisation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke at a conference about the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), which is a treaty that bans biological weapons.

He said that the threat of biological weapons and bioterrorism is real and not just something that might happen in the future.

He pointed out that the BWC, which is 50 years old, has some problems like no system to check if countries are following the rules, no permanent body to handle technical issues, and no way to keep up with new scientific developments.

Jaishankar said these problems need to be fixed to make the BWC stronger.

He also talked about India's plan to have a National Implementation Framework to deal with biological risks and emergencies.

He emphasized that all countries, especially those in the Global South, need to work together to improve biosecurity because biological threats can spread quickly and affect everyone.

India has strong capabilities in public health, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, and Jaishankar urged the international community to consider these facts and work together to make the BWC more effective for the next 50 years.