Statement of Head of Delegation of India At the 10th Session of Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC-COP) Vienna, 12-16 October, 2020

Mr President,

I wish to extend our warm congratulations to you on your election as the Chair of the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNCTOC, as I do to the newly elected members of the Bureau. I assure you of my delegation’s full co-operation in the conduct of this session.

• India is committed to fighting crime, violence, corruption and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, while providing an effective, fair, transparent, humane and accountable crime prevention and criminal justice system.
• India has been a member of UNTOC and a signatory to its protocols since the year 2011. India is committed to fulfill all her obligations in the fight against transnational organized crime, both in our region and globally.
• Mr President, India believes that all countries must work together to counter human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. International cooperation is all the more urgent now as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of exploitation of victims and exacerbated the situation of those who are vulnerable to human trafficking. India has taken steps to prevent human trafficking in the country by establishing Anti Human Trafficking Units. Awareness programmes against human trafficking have been launched. Law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring suspicious movement of people.  The National Investigation Agency has been empowered to investigate human trafficking cases, giving more teeth to government efforts in this area.
• Mr President, in order to effectively prevent illicit manufacture of and trafficking in firearms, legislation has been amended with adequate provisions for confiscation, seizure and disposal of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition illicitly manufactured or trafficked. In December last year, the relevant legislation has been further amended to provide systematic tracking of firearms and ammunition from manufacturer to purchaser for the purpose of detecting, investigating and analyzing illicit manufacturing and illicit trafficking.
• Mr President, considering the importance of international co-operation, India has entered into Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with 42 countries and we endeavor to conclude more such bilateral agreements. Where a bilateral treaty is absent, India recognizes multi-lateral Conventions like UNCAC and UNTOC as the basis for assistance and also provides and seeks assistance on assurance of reciprocity in the absence of any instrument of assistance.                                        
• Finally, Mr. President, while reaffirming India's commitment and whole-hearted support for UNTOC initiatives, we extend our best wishes to you and the distinguished representatives of all Member States for our individual and collective endeavors against Transnational Organized Crime. 

I Thank you Mr President.