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For the first time, an Indian diplomat has chaired the United Nations Secretary-General’s (UNSG) Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (ABDM), meeting marking a significant milestone for India’s engagement in global disarmament efforts.
The ABDM convened its meeting in New York from June 24 to 26, 2026, under the leadership of Ambassador D.B. Venkatesh Varma, who currently serves as the Board’s chair.
Although India has long participated in the Advisory Board, this is the first time an Indian diplomat has been appointed to lead it. UN Secretary-General António Guterres nominated Ambassador Varma to the Board in January 2026, recognizing his extensive experience in disarmament and international security.
“The Board had detailed discussions on the critical international situation and also near-term measures that could help reducing the risk of conflict. Ongoing Conflicts in Europe and Middle East added a critical dimension to the discussions,” Ambassador Varma, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as India’s Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, told South Asian Herald.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1979, the Advisory Board became operational in 1985. It comprises approximately 15 internationally recognized experts who serve in their personal capacities to advise the UN Secretary-General on key disarmament issues.
Board members are appointed for two-year terms, and the Advisory Board meets twice annually, alternating between Geneva and New York. At the conclusion of each cycle, it submits a report to the Secretary-General, who forwards it to the General Assembly for consideration and possible action. According to Varma, the current report is expected to be submitted next summer.
Varma said the Board’s current cycle is focused on “transparency and confidence building measures” as a means of reducing “international tensions, avoid escalation and open the pathway” for disarmament and arms control efforts. He added that members are also examining challenges posed by emerging technologies, particularly “drones, AI, Cyber and space security.”
He noted that the Board’s deliberations are conducted behind closed doors, but its final report will be made public.
A member of the Indian Foreign Service from 1988 to 2021, Varma held several key diplomatic assignments during his career. He served in the Office of the External Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office, and was India’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, and the Russian Federation until October 2021.
He also served as Joint Secretary for Disarmament and International Security in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, where he played a leading role in shaping the country’s security and defense policies.
In 2011, Varma became the first recipient of the S.K. Singh Award for Excellence in the Indian Foreign Service for his contribution to the landmark Civil Nuclear Initiative negotiated with the United States, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and other countries.
