Joint Declaration on the Complete Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
August 19, 1992 (New Delhi)

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of India, reaffirming their commitment to durable peace and the development of friendly and harmonious relations; conscious of the role of confidence building measures in promoting such bilateral relations based on mutual trust and goodwill; recognising that disarmament agreements constitute an important confidence building measure; reaffirming their respective unilateral declarations on nonpossession of chemical weapons; convinced that a complete and effective prohibition of chemical weapons will contribute to the security of all States; reaffirming their respective commitment to the Protocol for Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed in Geneva on 17 June 1925 and recalling the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly upholding the validity of the 1925 Geneva Protocol; reiterating the need for the early conclusion within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament of a global convention for the complete and effective prohibition of the development, production stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and their destruction. Hereby declare that:

1. They undertake never under any circumstances:
a) to develop, produce or otherwise acquire chemical weapons;
b) to use chemical weapons;
c) to assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in development, production, acquisition, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons.

2. They would cooperate with each other, in finalisation and adoption of a comprehensive Chemical Weapons Convention which ensures the security of all states and encourages the full utilization of achievements in the field of chemistry for peaceful purposes, especially for economic development of the developing countries.

3. They reiterate their resolve to become original States party to the proposed Convention currently being drafted in the Conference on Disarmament.

4. They would exercise their right to develop their chemical industry and related applications and products only for peaceful purposes and for the welfare of their peoples.

In witness whereof, the duly authorised representatives of the two Governments have hereto signed this Declaration and affix thereto their seals. Done at New Delhi on this Nineteenth day of August of the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety two.

[Signed:]

Shaharyar M. Khan
Foreign Secretary
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

J.N. Dixit
Foreign Secretary
Republic of India