In a major boost to India’s role in global peace and disarmament efforts, the Indian Army is hosting the inaugural United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, this is the first time the programme is being conducted in Asia.
The three-week fellowship is being organised from February 16 to March 6, 2026, at the Military College of Materials Management in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The programme is being held under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The fellowship is organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD). It brings together delegates from 13 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting strong regional participation and cooperation.
The Fellowship aims to strengthen the technical and operational capabilities of government officials responsible for implementing the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI). These two global frameworks are central to preventing the illicit trade, diversion, and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The initiative not only strengthens global disarmament efforts but also highlights India’s expanding role in multilateral peace and security initiatives.
India’s robust systems for safe stockpile management, accountability mechanisms, and environmentally responsible disposal of small arms and ammunition have earned international recognition, further enhancing its standing in global security cooperation.