Disarmament and International Security Affairs

India’s Disarmament and International Security Affairs Fellowship Programme

The Disarmament & International Security Affairs Division in collaboration with Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service organizes in New Delhi the Annual Disarmament and International Security Affairs Fellowship for foreign diplomats.

The inaugural edition of the fellowship programme was held from 14 January - 1 February 2019. A total of 26 diplomats from 26 countries attended the course.

The second edition of the fellowship programme was held from 13-31 January 2020. A total of 23 diplomats from 23 countries attended the course.

The third edition of the fellowship programme was held from 9-27 January 2023. It saw participation of 34 diplomats from 30 countries.

The fourth edition of the fellowship programme was held from January 22 - February 4, 2024 witnessing participation of diplomats from 24 countries.

The fellowship programme aims at equipping participants with knowledge and perspectives on issues related to contemporary disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control and international security affairs, and familiarizing them with India and aspects of India’s foreign policy. It features talks, presentations and simulation exercises by leading experts on a range of subjects such as the global security environment, weapons of mass destruction, certain conventional weapons, space security, security of cyberspace, export controls, and emerging technologies. It also includes visits to facilities of the Department of Atomic Energy of India and the Indian Space Research Organization to provide the fellows a first-hand exposure to India’s civil nuclear and civil space programmes.

The initiative fulfils the mandate of UNGA Resolution "United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education” and is in line with the focus on ‘Disarmament Education’ in UN Secretary General’s Agenda for Disarmament ‘Securing our Common Future’. Apart from the UN Disarmament Fellowship, India is the only country to conduct a fellowship programme dedicated to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.