From Surat to the World: India to Chair Kimberley Process in 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has welcomed India’s selection as Chair of the UN-backed Kimberley Process (KP) beginning in 2026, calling it a reaffirmation of the country’s growing role in shaping global governance of the diamond trade.

“Pleased at India’s selection as the Chair of the UN-backed Kimberley Process, starting 2026. A reaffirmation of India’s role in global governance of diamond trade through reform and consensus,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed that India will formally assume the chairmanship from January 1, 2026, after taking over as Vice Chair on December 25, 2025. This will be the third time India has been entrusted with leading the Kimberley Process, underscoring its sustained engagement with the global diamond regulatory framework.

Established in 2003 under a UN mandate, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was designed to prevent the flow of “conflict diamonds”—rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflict. Today, the mechanism covers more than 99 per cent of global rough diamond trade, making it the most comprehensive international effort to regulate the sector.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s elevation to the chair reflects growing international confidence in the Modi government’s commitment to transparency, integrity and reform in global trade systems.

The Kimberley Process is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations. It currently counts 60 participants, with the European Union and its member states represented as a single entity.

As Chair in 2026, India plans to focus on strengthening governance and compliance standards, advancing digital certification and traceability, improving transparency through data-driven monitoring, and reinforcing consumer trust in conflict-free diamonds. Officials said India will also work to make the KP more inclusive and effective as a multilateral platform, at a time when ethical sourcing and supply-chain accountability are under increasing global scrutiny.