Relevance: GS II (International Relations) | Source: The Hindu / Ministry of Commerce
1. The Human Story: Love vs. War
Diamonds are symbols of love, but historically, they have funded brutal civil wars in Africa.
- The Mission: The Kimberley Process (KP) was born to stop these “Blood Diamonds” (or Conflict Diamonds) from entering the market.
- India’s Role: As the Chair for 2026, India has a huge responsibility. We don’t mine many diamonds, but in Surat and Mumbai, we cut and polish 9 out of 10 diamonds in the world. This gives India the power to demand clean, ethical sourcing.
2. The Problem: Old Rules in a New World
The KP is struggling because its rules are outdated.
- The “Rebel” Trap: Currently, a “Conflict Diamond” is defined only as a gem used by rebel groups to fight a government.
- The Gap: It ignores situations where governments themselves might abuse human rights or use child labor to mine diamonds. India wants to broaden this definition to ensure “Conflict-Free” truly means “Ethical.”
- The Veto: Decisions require 100% Consensus. If even one country disagrees, action stops. This makes reforms very hard.
3. India’s Solution: Technology & Trust
- Digital Trust: Paper certificates can be faked. India is pushing for Blockchain Technology to create a digital, unhackable record of a diamond’s journey from the mine to the ring.
- The Bridge: India is uniquely placed to act as a “Bridge”—protecting the livelihoods of African miners while satisfying the ethical demands of Western consumers.
UPSC Value Box
| Key Term | What it means for Prelims |
| Kimberley Process (KP) | A UN-backed coalition of governments, industry, and civil society (Tripartite) to certify rough diamonds as “conflict-free.” |
| “Conflict Diamond” | A specific definition: Rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments. |
| Consensus Mechanism | The decision-making rule of the KP. All participants must agree for a motion to pass. This often leads to deadlock (gridlock). |
Q. The term “Conflict Diamonds” or “Blood Diamonds,” frequently seen in the news, refers to diamonds that are:
- Mined in conflict zones and used to finance rebel movements against legitimate governments.
- Synthetically manufactured in laboratories to undercut natural diamond prices.
- Mined using child labor in violation of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
- Smuggled across borders to avoid import duties.
Correct Answer: (1)
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