Jaishankar pointed out that the BWC, despite being central to establishing norms against biological weapons, suffers from significant structural gaps. He noted that the convention has no compliance system, no permanent technical body, and no mechanism for tracking scientific developments that could influence biological security. These limitations weaken confidence in global preparedness and prevent the system from responding effectively to new forms of biological risk. He argued that without addressing these issues, the convention cannot keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies in fields such as genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and biotechnology.
Reaffirming India's established position, Jaishankar called for stronger verification mechanisms within the BWC framework. He emphasised that verification must reflect the needs of the present era, where scientific innovation is happening at unprecedented speed. He proposed regular and systematic reviews of scientific and technological developments to ensure that global governance structures remain current, effective, and capable of preventing any misuse. According to him, outdated systems cannot provide reliable safeguards against modern biological threats.
Outlining India’s vision for stronger biosecurity, Jaishankar proposed the establishment of a National Implementation Framework. This framework would focus on identifying high-risk agents, overseeing research that could have dual-use implications, improving domestic reporting, building strong incident management systems, and ensuring continuous training of relevant authorities. He highlighted that assistance during biological emergencies must be fast, practical, and humanitarian, without political conditions or delays, because biological threats endanger all societies equally.
Reflecting on the historical purpose of the BWC, Jaishankar emphasised that for five decades, the convention has stood for humanity’s unified rejection of disease as a weapon. However, he stressed that global norms cannot survive without renewed commitment from nations. He urged countries to modernise the convention, strengthen scientific oversight, and expand their capacities for early detection, prevention, and response. The minister explained that biological threats do not respect borders, making it essential for all nations to develop robust systems rather than relying on isolated national tools.
Reaffirming India’s readiness to contribute positively, Jaishankar said the country remains a trusted partner to the Global South and a committed supporter of international biosecurity. He noted India’s growing prominence in health and biotechnology, with the country producing around 60 per cent of global vaccines and supplying over 20 per cent of global generic medicines. He also highlighted India’s expanding network of more than 11,000 biotechnology startups, positioning the nation as a rising hub of innovation and capability. This progress, he said, enables India to play a constructive role in supporting global health security, capacity-building, and scientific advancement.
Jaishankar concluded by urging the world to recognise that biosecurity is not an optional concern but an essential priority for the future. He called on governments to renew their commitments, modernise outdated systems, and embrace cooperation that reflects the shared responsibility of protecting humanity from biological risks.
