India has stressed the urgent need to preserve strategic stability and prevent a renewed arms race amid rising global uncertainties.

Addressing the 2026 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted country’s commitment to responsible use of military artificial intelligence and the national framework for evaluating trustworthy AI in the Defence Sector.

The recent expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, is a major setback for global arms control. He said India believes that preserving strategic stability and preventing an arms race are more vital than ever for global security.

Reiterating country’s nuclear doctrine, he said, India, as a responsible nuclear weapon State, remains committed to maintaining a credible minimum deterrent.

He reaffirmed country’s commitment to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament through a step-by-step multilateral framework.

He also expressed support for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty based on the established mandate within the Conference. Referring to artificial intelligence, he said India is committed to its responsible use in the military domain.

He stressed that human judgment and oversight in the use of AI are essential to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.

He added that India has developed a domestic framework to evaluate trustworthy AI in defence, based on reliability, safety and transparency. He clarified that decisions regarding nuclear weapons will remain under human control.

Further, the Foreign Secretary highlighted country’s initiatives to promote the interests of the Global South, including the AI Impact Summit 2026 on using AI for development, inclusion and democratised access.