International Law and Trade of Conventional Arms A Legal Analysis of Arms Dynamics and Indias Position

Abstract

In a world of conflicting interests, it is very difficult to make peace; especially, when war is a resonating business for many. It is the business, which is giving birth to crisis and out of crisis; with opportunities and costs for those who manage to diffuse global policy. The time is changing and the world is changing. The world has shifted from centuries old, symmetric form of warfare to asymmetric form of warfare and in this form of warfare, small and light weapons (SALW) have caused and can even cause more gruesome damage in comparison with a weapon of mass destruction. The clandestine nature of arms trade causes direct interaction between economic concerns such as trade, profits, jobs, and foreign policy concerns such as human rights, international order, and security. This study examines the historical and conceptual context of legal perspectives on the arms trade by providing an understanding of the myriad aspects of international trade of conventional arms and illustrates as well as explores the nexus of such trade with human rights violations. This thesis highlights several aspects of conventional arms trade, which ranges from legislative history; arms trade narratives, global negotiation efforts, domestic and geo-political dynamics, human rights and humanitarian law. The research also looks into the international security and relations conditions concerning arms trade. newline