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26 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
International RelationsEconomyNEWS

India to Chair Kimberley Process Certification Scheme from January 2024

India will chair the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme from January 2024, combating 'blood diamonds' globally.

India to Chair Kimberley Process Certification Scheme from January 2024

Photo by André Robillard

India is set to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) from January 1, 2024, for a one-year term. The KPCS is an international initiative established to prevent the flow of 'conflict diamonds' – rough diamonds used to finance wars against legitimate governments.

India, a major global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, has been a key participant in the KPCS since its inception. This chairmanship underscores India's commitment to responsible trade practices, ethical sourcing, and its growing role in global governance and international cooperation, particularly in ensuring transparency and preventing illicit trade in the diamond industry.

Key Facts

1.

India to chair Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)

2.

Chairmanship from January 1, 2024, for one year

3.

KPCS prevents 'conflict diamonds'

4.

India is a major diamond cutting and polishing hub

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

International organizations and multilateral initiatives (KPCS structure, mandate, effectiveness).

2.

India's role in global governance and its foreign policy objectives.

3.

Ethical trade, responsible sourcing, and supply chain management in the context of global commerce.

4.

Combating illicit trade, financing of conflicts, and related internal security dimensions.

5.

Economic geography of the diamond industry and its geopolitical implications.

Visual Insights

Global Diamond Industry: Key Players & KPCS Reach (2025)

This map illustrates major diamond producing countries, key cutting and polishing hubs, and countries historically affected by conflict diamonds. It highlights the global reach of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and India's central role as a processing hub and current chair.

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📍India (Surat/Mumbai)📍Botswana📍Russia📍Canada📍South Africa📍Democratic Republic of Congo📍Sierra Leone📍Angola📍Belgium (Antwerp)📍UAE (Dubai)

Evolution of Kimberley Process & India's Chairmanship (1990s-2025)

This timeline outlines the key historical milestones of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), from the emergence of conflict diamonds to India's recent assumption of its chairmanship, highlighting the scheme's evolution and India's increasing engagement.

The issue of conflict diamonds emerged as a significant humanitarian and geopolitical concern in the 1990s, prompting an unprecedented international response through the Kimberley Process. This scheme, born out of necessity, has evolved over two decades, with India playing an increasingly prominent role, culminating in its recent chairmanship.

  • 1990sBrutal civil wars in Africa (Sierra Leone, Angola) fueled by 'conflict diamonds'. Widespread human rights abuses.
  • 1998Global Witness report 'A Rough Trade' exposes role of diamonds in Angolan civil war, raising international awareness.
  • 2000South African government hosts initial meetings in Kimberley, leading to the 'Kimberley Process'. UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 endorses the initiative.
  • 2003Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) officially launched. India becomes a founding participant and enacts national legislation (KPCS Rules, 2003).
  • 2006Release of the movie 'Blood Diamond' significantly raises global consumer awareness about conflict diamonds.
  • 2012-2018Ongoing debates within KPCS regarding expansion of 'conflict diamond' definition to include broader human rights abuses and state-sponsored violence.
  • 2019India hosts the KPCS Plenary meeting in New Delhi, reaffirming its commitment to the scheme.
  • 2023 (Late)India announced as the Chair of KPCS for 2024, following its vice-chairmanship in 2023.
  • 2024 (Jan 1)India officially assumes the Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for a one-year term.
  • 2024-2025India leads KPCS discussions, focusing on strengthening implementation, enhancing traceability, and addressing evolving challenges in the diamond industry.
More Information

Background

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established in 2003, following a UN General Assembly resolution, to prevent 'conflict diamonds' from entering the mainstream legitimate diamond market. The term 'conflict diamonds' refers to rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments, particularly prominent during civil conflicts in West Africa in the 1990s. It is a joint initiative of governments, industry, and civil society.

Latest Developments

India is set to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) from January 1, 2024, for a one-year term. This marks a significant moment as India is a global leader in diamond cutting and polishing, processing about 90% of the world's rough diamonds. This chairmanship underscores India's commitment to responsible trade practices, ethical sourcing, and its growing role in global governance and international cooperation.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS): 1. It is an international certification scheme established under the direct aegis of the United Nations Security Council. 2. Its primary objective is to prevent the trade of 'conflict diamonds' by certifying shipments of rough diamonds as 'conflict-free'. 3. India has been a key participant in the KPCS since its inception and will assume its chairmanship for the first time in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. The KPCS was initiated by diamond-producing states in Southern Africa and supported by UN General Assembly resolutions, but it is a voluntary international certification scheme involving governments, industry, and civil society, not directly 'under the aegis' of the UN Security Council in an administrative or enforcement capacity like a UN program. Statement 2 is correct. The core purpose of KPCS is to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate market. Statement 3 is incorrect. While India has been a key participant since inception, it has chaired the KPCS before, for instance, in 2019. Therefore, 'for the first time' is incorrect.

2. In the context of international efforts to promote ethical sourcing and prevent illicit trade, which of the following statements best describes a key limitation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)?

  • A.KPCS covers both rough and polished diamonds, ensuring traceability from mine to retail.
  • B.Its definition of 'conflict diamonds' is limited to those used by rebel groups against legitimate governments, excluding other forms of violence or human rights abuses.
  • C.The scheme is legally binding on all UN member states and is enforced through UN Security Council sanctions.
  • D.KPCS primarily addresses environmental damage caused by diamond mining, rather than conflict financing.
Show Answer

Answer: B

Option A is incorrect. KPCS specifically covers *rough* diamonds. The traceability from mine to retail for polished diamonds remains a significant challenge and is not fully addressed by the KPCS. Option B is correct. A major criticism of the KPCS is its narrow definition of 'conflict diamonds,' which focuses solely on diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. This excludes diamonds associated with other forms of violence, human rights abuses by state actors, child labor, or environmental degradation, which are broader ethical concerns in the diamond supply chain. Option C is incorrect. KPCS is a voluntary international agreement, not legally binding on all UN member states, nor is it directly enforced through UN Security Council sanctions, although non-compliance can lead to exclusion from the scheme. Option D is incorrect. The primary focus of KPCS is preventing conflict financing through diamonds, not environmental damage, although ethical sourcing initiatives often encompass environmental concerns.

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