India will assume the prestigious chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process (KP) from January 1, 2026, after being selected by the KP Plenary, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday.
India will take over as Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process from December 25, 2025, and will formally assume the chair in the new year. This will be the third time that India has been entrusted with leading the global initiative.
The Kimberley Process is a tripartite mechanism involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society, aimed at preventing the trade in “conflict diamonds” — rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts, as defined by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Welcoming the decision, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said India’s selection reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s commitment to integrity, transparency and responsible trade practices under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), established pursuant to a UN resolution and operational since January 1, 2003, has evolved into a key international framework to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. The KP currently has 60 participants, with the European Union and its member states counted as a single participant, collectively accounting for more than 99 per cent of global rough diamond trade.
As one of the world’s leading hubs for diamond manufacturing and trade, India’s leadership of the Kimberley Process comes at a time of heightened global focus on sustainable and responsible sourcing. During its tenure, India plans to prioritise strengthening governance and compliance mechanisms, advancing digital certification and traceability, enhancing transparency through data-driven monitoring, and building greater consumer trust in conflict-free diamonds.
The ministry said that as Vice Chair in 2025 and Chair in 2026, India will work closely with all KP participants and observers to reinforce confidence in the certification scheme, ensure rule-based compliance, and enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the Kimberley Process as an inclusive multilateral framework.
