India

Baseline Activities

DISSUADE

DENY

DETECT

DEFEND

Root Causes

Establish Norms

Encourage norms

Enforce norms

Info

Materiel

Equipment

Access

People

Capabilities

Plans

Agents

Disease

Source

Protection

Incident Management (IM) Plans

IM Capabilities/ Resources

Counter- measures

Remediation

Communities

S/L/F Public Health

* The Public Health Ministry and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) are responsible for natural or suspicious outbreaks. They have experience investigating potentially deliberate outbreaks of plague, and coordinate with the WHO and US CDC. These institutes stress L/S/Fed/Intl coordination to detect suspicious outbreaks. Early reporting, accurate plotting, and information assessment of crucial.
* The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) would undertake epidemiological investigations and formulate strategies to deal w/ deliberate outbreaks.

* The Public Health Ministry and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) are responsible for natural or suspicious outbreaks. They have experience investigating potentially deliberate outbreaks of plague, and coordinate with the WHO and US CDC. These institutes stress L/S/Fed/Intl coordination to detect suspicious outbreaks. Early reporting, accurate plotting, and information assessment of crucial.
* There is a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) manual drawn up for responding to a bioterrorist attack. These law down actions to be taken by different agencies, and is advised by a Technical Advisory Committee of public health officials.
* The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) would undertake epidemiological investigations and formulate strategies to deal w/ deliberate outbreaks.

Hospital/Medical

Law Enforcement

Emergency Management/ Fire

* disaster management is discussed in the Annual reports of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); planning and coordination is undertaken by the Disaster Management cell of the MHA. The cell has evolved out of the Civil Defense organization established just before independence in 1947. Civil defense units undertake training and demonstrations and are employed during natural disasters also. Formerly, disaster management was held in the Ministry of Agriculture that was mainly concerned with drought relief. The change in the mission of the Disaster Management cell now includes "mitigation and preparedness", as well as "management of damage by WMD."
* The Ministry of Home Affairs and its Disaster Management Cell are the node agency for dealing with bioattacks. They would coordinate relief measures including w/ state public health departments. However, they expect relief to come from the Central Government and international bodies such as the WHO.
* There is a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) manual drawn up for responding to a bioterrorist attack. These law down actions to be taken by different agencies, and is advised by a Technical Advisory Committee of public health officials.

Biotech Industry

* India draws special attention to the "codes of conduct or principles of ethics for scientists engaged in life sciences to ensure that activities involving microbial or other biological agents or toxins…are of types and in quantities that have justification...for peaceful purpose." This also pertains to the body of legislation and regulation to provide guidelines for scientists. Each insititute using rDNA must have a Biosafety Committee (ISBC) that monitors, as well as a Review Committee on Genetic Modification (RCGM) in the Department of Biotechnology to oversee research activities. Large scale activities must be cleared by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GFAC) in the Ministry of Environment.
* The Recombinant DNA Advisory Comittee (RDAC) recommends safety regulations for recombinant research, use, and applications. This also deals with deliberate/accidental release of rDNA technologies.

* The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) educated Indian industry on the implication of the Verification Protocol. A Task Force with the MEO, DRDO, and DBT was established to keep industry informed of negotiations, assess implications, and exchange views with other similar orgs in other countries.
* Industries appreciate the danger for misuse, but very concered about confidentiality when it comes to investigations. Also concerns that declarations would be a major burden. Suggest a clear definition of facilities that would come under purview of inspections, with middle-ground baseline of fermenter capacities and containment facilities, etc.
* Each insititute using rDNA must have a Biosafety Committee (ISBC) that monitors, as well as a Review Committee on Genetic Modification (RCGM) in the Department of Biotechnology to oversee research activities. Large scale activities must be cleared by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GFAC) in the Ministry of Environment.
* The Drug Policy of 2002 requires bulk drugs manufactureres using rDHA technology to obtain an industrial license, and is supplemented by the National Seeds Policy (2002) which caters to genetically engineered crops.

Science Community

* Each insititute using rDNA must have a Biosafety Committee (ISBC) that monitors, as well as a Review Committee on Genetic Modification (RCGM) in the Department of Biotechnology to oversee research activities. Large scale activities must be cleared by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GFAC) in the Ministry of Environment.

Military/Defense

Arms Control

* India noted at the 5th Review Conference the importance of increased national control on pathogens and their production, storage, etcl they promoted sensitizzation and widespread adherence to these controls.
* India is deeply skeptical that topics that would be discussed at the States Parties Meetings would have any relevance to credible verification arrangements or would effectively dissuage, detect, or deny.
* India draws special attention to the "codes of conduct or principles of ethics for scientists engaged in life sciences to ensure that activities involving microbial or other biological agents or toxins…are of types and in quantities that have justification...for peaceful purpose." This also pertains to the body of legislation and regulation to provide guidelines for scientists.

* India believed that no Verification Protocol was far worse than having a less-than-foolproof one; they were very dismayed when negotiations broke down.
* India is deeply skeptical that topics that would be discussed at the States Parties Meetings would have any relevance to credible verification arrangements or would effectively dissuage, detect, or deny.
* India has enacted penal legislation, and legislative and other mechanisms to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins. However, there is some skepticism about how to deal with investigations, surveillance and comatting of outbreaks, and codes of conduct for scientists.

* India noted at the 5th Review Conference the importance of increased national control on pathogens and their production, storage, etc.
* India has enacted penal legislation, and legislative and other mechanisms to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins.
* The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems Act, 2005, provides legislation for India to control WMD-usable materials, equipment, technology. Non-state actors are included in these prohibitions. This legislation is however a work in progress.
* India has supported the Security Council Resolution 1540 and has been controlling export of "Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET), including microorganisms and toxins.

* India noted at the 5th Review Conference the importance of increased national control on pathogens and their production, storage, etc.
* The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems Act, 2005, provides legislation for India to control WMD-usable materials, equipment, technology. Non-state actors are included in these prohibitions. This legislation is however a work in progress.

* India noted at the 5th Review Conference the importance of increased national control on pathogens and their production, storage, etc.

* During the BTWC discussions regarding a verification protocol (1994-2001), India favored the more limited "green light" inspection procedure that required 3/4 of the members to vote to allow an inspection. Their skepticism about the need for inspections coincided with those of the US, and arose in part due to opposition of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Federal Government

* The Department of Biotechnology has developed Ethical Policies on the Human Genome, Genetic Research and Services, that provides ethical guidance for those involved in this area. It does not specifically discuss bioterrorism.

* A Recombinant DNA Avisory Committee (RDAC) recommends suitable and appropriate safety regulations for recombinant research, its use, and applications.
* India draws special attention to the "codes of conduct or principles of ethics for scientists engaged in life sciences to ensure that activities involving microbial or other biological agents or toxins…are of types and in quantities that have justification...for peaceful purpose." This also pertains to the body of legislation and regulation to provide guidelines for scientists. Each insititute using rDNA must have a Biosafety Committee (ISBC) that monitors, as well as a Review Committee on Genetic Modification (RCGM) in the Department of Biotechnology to oversee research activities. Large scale activities must be cleared by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GFAC) in the Ministry of Environment.

* Particular emphasis on agricultural defenses due to India's dependence on its agricultural economy.

* India emphasizes surveillance to ensure early detection and response

* India believes that "we remain in uncharted terroritoy in considering how to enhance the international capabilities for responding to, investigating and mitigating the effects of cases of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons or suspicious outbreak of diseases."
* The Indian Environment Protection Act of 1986 gives government powers to "lay down procedures and safeguards for handling of hazardous substances and carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution."
* The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) would undertake epidemiological investigations and formulate strategies to deal w/ deliberate outbreaks.

* disaster management is discussed in the Annual reports of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); planning and coordination is undertaken by the Disaster Management cell of the MHA. The cell has evolved out of the Civil Defense organization established just before independence in 1947. Civil defense units undertake training and demonstrations and are employed during natural disasters also. Formerly, disaster management was held in the Ministry of Agriculture that was mainly concerned with drought relief. The change in the mission of the Disaster Management cell now includes "mitigation and preparedness", as well as "management of damage by WMD."
* the National Civil Defense College has established for courses in civil defence and disaster management. It now include N/B/C emergencies and is now the major node for training for WMD-related emergencies.
* The Ministry of Home Affairs and its Disaster Management Cell are the node agency for dealing with bioattacks. They would coordinate relief measures including w/ state public health departments. However, they expect relief to come from the Central Government and international bodies such as the WHO.

* The Central Government has regional depots for stocking medicines, vaccines, etc. These are spread around India.

* The DRDO is manufacturing mobile decontamination systems to be used in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical events. The DRDO has further stated it's induction of various defence equipment including a next-generation NBC suit.

Federal Legislative Bodies

* The Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export/Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells authorizes authorities to implement the Indian Environment Protection Act and provide guidelines for those who conduct or fund biological sciences.

* India has enacted penal legislation, and legislative and other mechanisms to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins. However, there is some skepticism about how to deal with investigations, surveillance and combatting of outbreaks, and codes of conduct for scientists.
* The Indian Environment Protection Act of 1986 gives government powers to "lay down procedures and safeguards for handling of hazardous substances and carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution."
* The Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export/Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells authorizes authorities to implement the Act and provide guidelines for those who conduct or fund biological sciences.

* The Indian Environment Protection Act of 1986 gives government powers to "lay down procedures and safeguards for handling of hazardous substances and carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution."
* The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems Act, 2005, provides legislation for India to control WMD-usable materials, equipment, technology. Non-state actors are included in these prohibitions. This legislation is however a work in progress.

* The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems Act, 2005, provides legislation for India to control WMD-usable materials, equipment, technology. Non-state actors are included in these prohibitions. This legislation is however a work in progress.

International Public Health

* The Ministry of Home Affairs and its Disaster Management Cell are the node agency for dealing with bioattacks. They would coordinate relief measures including w/ state public health departments. However, they expect relief to come from the Central Government and international bodies such as the WHO.

International Organizations

KEY:

SOURCES :

BASELINE ACTIVITIES

1. Chari, PR. Biodefence - The Indian Perspective.

NOTES:

1. India's participation in the BTWC informs its attitudes towards dissuasion, denial, and detection. (p. 7)

2. India suggested that at the 2004 Meeting of Experts, attention be focused on a) ensuring national disease surveillance systems cover the whole of the country; b) animal disease surveillance and control (ADSC): help from international labs and vaccine banks and dissemination of technology; c) enhance bilaterial and international collaboration for disease surveillance & response to address cross-border events; d) ADSC: national campaign on emergency diseases; e) ADSC: harmonizationof test methodologies and enactment of statues and providsion of directives; f) continue efforts to strengthen lab capabilities; g) develop capabilities to ensure early detection and response to epidemics; h) develop additional national response capabilities; i_surveillance is key to early detection and response. (p. 15)

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