India has been the chosen venue for the inaugural conference of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The two-day event, which started on September 12th, 2019, was held in the capital city, New Delhi. This marks India’s first military cooperation event following its induction into the SCO in June 2017. The Indian Armed Forces, along with the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), took on the responsibility of organising the prestigious event.
Aims and Objectives of the Conference
The conference had several key objectives. It aimed at encouraging the sharing of best practices pertaining to military medicine. The intent was also to foster capacity building and address common areas of concern. Experts in military medicine from SCO member states engaged in discussions related to providing medical support during combat, extending humanitarian assistance during disasters, and exploring measures to enhance patient safety.
Indian Defence Minister emphasised the need for the AFMS of SCO countries to develop strategies to handle potential threats on the battlefield resulting from rapid technological advances.
The Role of DGAFMS in India
In India, the Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) plays a key role in coordinating the medical services of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This paramount organisation operates under the Ministry of Defence and is helmed by an officer of Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) rank or its equivalent from the Navy or Air Force.
Addressing the Threat of Bioterrorism
The discussions carried out during the conference are especially relevant today as the world grapples with the menace of bioterrorism. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent body of the SCO that strives for the cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Bioterrorism implies the deliberate spread of viruses, bacteria or other harmful organisms with the intention to cause disease or death in people, animals, or crops. Considering India’s geopolitical situation, the threat from biological warfare cannot be overlooked.
India’s Preparedness Against Bioterrorism
| Ministries | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Direction and technical support for capacity building, surveillance and early detection of outbreaks. |
| Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) | Assessment of threats, gathering intelligence and implementing preventive mechanisms. |
| National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) | A specialized force under MHA to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks. |
| Ministry of Defence (MoD) | Managing the impact and fallout of bio-warfare. |
The Role of Defence R&D Organization (DRDO) and International Accords
To counter the threats of nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare, the Defence R&D Organization (DRDO) actively contributes to developing protective systems and equipment for troops.
India has endorsed the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), an international treaty that effectively outlaws the development, production, stockpiling, and usage of biological and toxin weapons. The country is also a participant in the Australia Group, an informal forum aiming to reduce the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons (CBW) proliferation.
