New Delhi, 25 December (H.S.): India assumes the prestigious Vice-Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP) effective Thursday, December 25, 2025, paving the way for full Chairpersonship from January 1, 2026, marking the third time the nation leads this critical anti-conflict diamond initiative.

The KP Plenary's consensus selection underscores global confidence in India's diamond trade prowess, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailing it as validation of the Modi government's integrity-driven trade policies.

No accidents linked to the announcement occurred, though Surat's diamond hubs buzzed safely with festive operations.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), operational since January 1, 2003, under UN Security Council resolutions, unites 60 participants—including governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society—to eradicate conflict diamonds, rough gems funding rebel conflicts against legitimate regimes.

Collectively, these members control over 99% of global rough diamond trade, evolving into the premier multilateral mechanism for ethical sourcing amid geopolitical shifts and sustainability demands.

As a world-leading diamond manufacturing and trading hub—handling 90% of global cutting and polishing—India prioritizes robust governance, digital certification, blockchain traceability, data analytics for monitoring, and consumer assurance in conflict-free gems during its tenure.

Previous chairs in 2009 and 2019 saw India advance artisanal mining support, capacity building, and natural-lab diamond differentiation; this cycle emphasizes inclusivity, rule-based compliance, and KP credibility enhancement.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) welcomed the role, noting India's founding participant status.

Minister Goyal stated the nod reflects global trust in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s commitment to promoting integrity and transparency in international trade, aligning with self-regulation successes in lab-grown diamonds via Kimberley certificates.

Prime Minister Modi has not issued a specific tweet on this KP development as of December 25, 2025.India collaborates closely with participants and observers to fortify the tripartite framework against emerging challenges like synthetic diamonds and supply chain risks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar