India to Assume Leadership of Global Diamond Watchdog Kimberley Process
- MGMMTeam
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
India is set to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP), the global certification mechanism aimed at eliminating conflict diamonds from international trade, from January 1, 2026. The move places India at the forefront of global efforts to promote ethical sourcing and transparency in the rough diamond industry. Prior to taking over the chair, India will serve as Vice-Chair from December 25, 2025, in line with the organisation’s rotational leadership structure.
This will be the third time India chairs the Kimberley Process, having previously held the position in 2008 and 2019, reflecting sustained international confidence in India’s role as a responsible stakeholder in the global diamond ecosystem.
Understanding the Kimberley Process and Its Global Importance
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was launched in 2003 following United Nations-backed initiatives to curb the trade in conflict diamonds—rough diamonds used to finance armed conflicts and destabilise legitimate governments. The scheme operates through a tripartite framework involving governments, the diamond industry, and civil society organisations, ensuring that only certified conflict-free rough diamonds enter global markets.
Today, the Kimberley Process includes over 80 countries, representing more than 99 percent of global rough diamond trade, making it one of the most comprehensive international commodity certification systems. Each participating nation is required to enforce strict internal controls and issue certificates guaranteeing that exported diamonds are conflict-free.
India’s Expanding Influence in the Diamond Value Chain
India’s leadership of the Kimberley Process is closely tied to its central position in the global diamond industry. The country is a major hub for diamond cutting and polishing, handling a significant majority of the world’s rough diamonds before they reach retail markets. This industrial strength, combined with regulatory oversight, has positioned India as a key bridge between diamond-producing nations and consumer markets.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India’s nodal agency for the Kimberley Process, has played a crucial role in coordinating compliance and international engagement. Industry stakeholders have welcomed India’s appointment, viewing it as an opportunity to further enhance trust in ethically sourced diamonds.
Key Priorities During India’s Chairmanship
During its tenure, India is expected to focus on strengthening governance mechanisms, improving compliance and monitoring, and advancing digital certification and traceability systems across the diamond supply chain. These measures aim to address emerging challenges such as smuggling, certificate misuse, and evolving consumer expectations around ethical sourcing.
India’s chairmanship also comes at a time when the Kimberley Process faces renewed scrutiny over its scope and effectiveness. There is increasing international debate on whether the definition of conflict diamonds should be expanded to include broader human rights and environmental concerns, an issue likely to shape discussions during India’s leadership.
Challenges Facing the Kimberley Process
While the Kimberley Process has been credited with drastically reducing the share of conflict diamonds in global trade—now estimated to be a fraction of total production—it has also faced criticism for uneven enforcement and limited oversight in certain regions. Weak regulatory capacity, porous borders, and internal conflicts in diamond-producing areas continue to test the system’s effectiveness.
India’s role as chair places it in a strategic position to encourage dialogue, build consensus, and reinforce the credibility of the Kimberley Process amid these ongoing challenges.
The MGMM Outlook
India’s assumption of the Kimberley Process chairmanship from January 1, 2026, places the country at the center of global efforts to safeguard the diamond trade from conflict-linked practices. With prior experience as chair in 2008 and 2019, India’s return to leadership reflects sustained international confidence in its regulatory capacity and commitment to ethical sourcing. As one of the world’s largest hubs for diamond cutting and polishing, India occupies a crucial position between producing nations and consumer markets, making its role particularly consequential for strengthening transparency, compliance, and trust across the global diamond value chain.
This leadership phase comes at a time when the Kimberley Process faces both operational challenges and calls for reform. Issues such as smuggling, uneven enforcement, and the need for better traceability mechanisms continue to test the credibility of the certification system, even as it covers over 99 percent of global rough diamond trade. India’s stewardship is expected to push for improved governance, greater use of digital certification, and constructive dialogue on expanding ethical standards, including human rights considerations. By aligning industry strength with diplomatic engagement, India’s role has the potential to reinforce confidence in conflict-free diamonds while shaping the future direction of responsible global trade.
(Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, LiveMint)
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