India accomplished important achievements at the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary 2024, which took place in Dubai from November 12 to 15. The Indian delegation, led by Shri Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, and Shri R. Arulanandan, Director, Department of Commerce, included prominent representatives from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), which has played a key role in advancing global standards for conflict-free diamond trade.
The delegation includes Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director of GJEPC, as well as senior GJEPC representatives Shri Rajat Wani, Assistant Director; Shri Sabyasachi Ghosh, Assistant Director; Dr. Rashmi Arora, Economist; and Shri Shiddesh Mohite, Deputy Director. They actively engaged in key debates that reaffirmed India’s leadership role in promoting conflict-free diamond trade worldwide.
The “Year of Delivery” topic of this year’s plenary was highlighted by outstanding accomplishments. India has gained participation in the Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production (WGAAP), demonstrating its expanding role in assisting African diamond mining communities. India also applauded the total lifting of the restriction on rough diamond exports from the Central African Republic (CAR), highlighting the Kimberley Process‘s effectiveness in supporting sustainable development in diamond-producing countries.