India to Chair Kimberley Process (KP) for Global Diamond Governance in 2026

Key facts

• India has assumed the chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for the year 2026 to lead reforms in the global diamond trade.
• The KP is a multinational mechanism designed to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds used by rebel groups to finance insurgencies against legitimate governments.
• The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was launched in 2003 and now comprises 60 participants representing 86 countries.
• The KP participants collectively account for approximately 99.8% of the total global production of rough diamonds.
• Six countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Canada, Congo, Namibia, and Russia, produce more than 85% of the world's rough diamonds by quantity and value.
• India is a major global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, centred in Surat and Mumbai, and imports 40% of the world's rough diamonds.
• India re-exports polished diamonds to key international markets including China, Hong Kong, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States.
• Proposed reforms under the chairmanship include the introduction of blockchain-based digital certificates and the establishment of regional technical hubs in Africa to provide Information Technology (IT) support.
• India aims to align the KP framework with Sustainable Development Goals such as decent work, poverty reduction, and responsible consumption.