India and Israel Oppose UN Draft on Regional Arms Control

India and Israel cast the only opposing votes against a United Nations draft resolution regarding conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels. The proposal, brought forward by Pakistan and Belarus, passed through the UN General Assembly's First Committee with overwhelming support, receiving 180 votes in favor.

Speaking on behalf of New Delhi, an official from India's Permanent Mission to the UN explained that the country opposed the measure in line with its long-standing stance. The representative stated that conventional arms control is a global matter and should not be restricted primarily to regional frameworks.

India additionally criticized a provision in the resolution asking the UN Disarmament Commission to draft a framework for regional agreements. The Indian diplomat noted that the Commission has previously adopted multiple consensus guidelines on the subject, making a fresh round of discussions redundant unless intended to occupy the UN machinery.

Furthermore, India objected to the text's assumption that maintaining a balance in regional defense capabilities is realistic. Officials emphasized that a state's security concerns extend past narrowly defined regional boundaries, and separately voted against a specific paragraph mentioning South Asian conventional arms control proposals.