The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has welcomed India’s election as Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for 2026, reaffirming the country’s growing leadership role in global diamond governance. GJEPC serves as India’s nodal agency for the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, a UN-mandated international framework, remains the world’s only mechanism regulating cross-border trade in rough diamonds to prevent conflict stones from entering legitimate supply chains. India, a founding participant of the initiative, will assume the Chair for the third time—highlighting its long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing, transparency, and industry accountability.
India will formally take over the Chair on 1 January 2026, following approval by consensus through a written procedure initiated on 5 December 2025. The Kimberley Process currently comprises 60 participants representing 80 countries, with the European Union counted as a single participant. India will first serve as Vice Chair from 25 December 2025, a progression that reflects broad international confidence in the country’s leadership capabilities.
Commenting on the development, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said that India’s selection underscores global trust in the nation’s balanced and inclusive approach to strengthening the diamond trade. He emphasised that India’s leadership will focus on effective governance and reinforcing the credibility of the Kimberley Process framework.
Reiterating the industry’s support, Bhansali noted that GJEPC will work closely with the Government of India, international partners, and industry stakeholders during India’s Vice Chairmanship and Chairmanship. The Council remains committed to enhancing compliance standards, promoting best practices, and reinforcing global confidence in conflict-free diamonds.
GJEPC also expressed its intent to collaborate with governments, international trade bodies, and civil society organisations to support India’s tenure, with the objective of strengthening the Kimberley Process as a stable, inclusive, and effective system for safeguarding the long-term integrity of the global diamond industry.
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, the nodal agency for the Kimberley Process (KP) in India, welcomes India’s election as Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for 2026.){kind=link}