Speech by Mr. Rajesh Uike, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Republic of Tajikistan
at the Conference
on
"Towards a Healthy Drug-Free Society"
at
the SCO Center for Friendship and Cooperation
Dushanbe, 29 January 2025
Mr. Safarzoda Davron Jurakhon, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Head of the SCO Center for Friendship and Cooperation at this Academy;
H.E. Mr. Rashid Olimov, Former Secretary General of SCO;
Mr. Ahmad Saidmuradzoda, SCO National Coordinator of Tajikistan;
Excellencies, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Greetings and good day to all of you!
It is my great pleasure to join you today for this important conference on the topic “Towards a Healthy Drug-Free Society”.
1. The Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) is an important forum to co-ordinate efforts in the fight against drug trafficking faced by member states. We reaffirm our resolve to use this forum and work with member states of SCO to combat this problem of drug trafficking.
2. Illicit trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to the health, security and welfare of human beings, and adversely affect the economic, social, cultural and political foundations of the societies.
3. In view of the magnitude and complexity of this problem, no country can fight it on its own. Hence we propose to enhance and strengthen closer cooperation in combating the drug trafficking with all member countries of SCO.
4. India's commitment to fight the menace of drugs remains steadfast. India is a party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and 1988 Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. India is also fully committed to Political Declaration and the resolutions adopted in the outcome document of 2016 Special Session of United Nations General Assembly. The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 constitutes the statutory framework for drug law enforcerrlent in India. The Act also incorporates provisions for the control of precursor chemicals. Recognizing the need for financially throttling the organized crime and drug groups, India has enacted a comprehensive Anti- Money Laundering Law.
5. The Government of India is also keen to arrest the abuse of pharmaceuticals preparations containing narcotic drug and psychotropic substances. Towards this end we brought tramadol under controls under the Narcotics legislation in the country last year. With this move there has been a severe dent in trafficking of this substance from India.
6. It is ironical that some drugs, which are prone to diversion and abuse, also have the potential to relieve the pain and suffering of mankind. There are millions of cancer patients in India, majority suffering excruciating pain. Their pain can be alleviated with morphine, which is derived from opium. The same opium yields heroin, the drug of abuse. However, the consumption data of morphine in the country indicates that it is unable to reach all needy. The Government of India is conscious of this irony and has accordingly brought about legislative amendments to remove the regulatory barriers that act as an hindrance in availability of such drugs for pain relief and palliative care. We would be happy to share experiences of other members to address the issue of availability of narcotic drugs for pain relief.
7. India has made huge technological advancements and has begun the use of satellite imagery to identify illicit poppy cultivation in the country. Every year, our scientists have been successfully able to map the illicit poppy crop in the sensitive areas of the country which, coupled with ground truth verification, have enabled us to destroy illicit narcotic crops within the country. India would be happy to offer the expertise developed in this area with other Members, if needed. This is our collective fight and India would be keen to contribute its mite in this collective endeavor.
Thank You!
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